Forest Trail August 24th Newsletter

FTE TRAIL BLAZER

August 24, 2017

Forest Trail Elementary

MESSAGE FROM PRINCIPAL

Welcome Back, Falcon Families!

I hope you all have had a restful summer full of fun and adventure. My summer was full of excitement. My family and I spent a week having a blast in Port A. It was the first time either of my children have seen a beach, and it was so fun being a part of their experience. Our puppy, Roo, has grown and has worked very hard to become a better listener. I have fewer holes in my back yard and we are starting to feel safe leaving our shoes on the floor without fear of them being eaten. She's even learned to sit and catch a Frisbee. The rest of the summer was spent at Valley View Elementary. That's right…we had to live next door while Forest Trail underwent several construction projects. It was challenging at times, but our staff proved once again what amazing professionals they are by pulling together and making FTE the best place to be.

We are so proud of our new floors and freshly painted front doors. The gym and cafeteria also received a paint job. The first section of our sprinkler system was also installed. The front foyer is undergoing a facelift as well. In addition to the new look, we are excited about a new flexible seating arrangement and a showcase for student work that will welcome visitors to campus.

Our staff has also undergone a renovation. Our first-grade team has seen Mrs. Martinez graduate from Kindergarten to First Grade, and we have also added the services of Mrs. Parolini and Ms. West. Ms. Hernandez moved from Fifth Grade to Second. Third Grade saw Ms. Robinson move to Fourth Grade and welcomed Mrs. Ueckert to their team. Fourth Grade will be welcoming back Mrs. Edmund as well as adding Mrs. Riddington while Mrs. Lindsey joins our Fifth Grade team. Additionally, Mrs. Fertig and Mrs. Rogers have joined our staff. Whew!

Our students will reap the benefits of the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) carts purchased by the FTE Booster Club with the funds raised at last year's auction. We are creating a curriculum to accompany these carts so our students can extend their learning with hands-on critical thinking opportunities. Our students will be testing their grit and collaborative and communication skills while they engage in maker opportunities, are introduced into the basics of coding and apply concepts of physics into engineering activities housed within these carts.

Of course, we will place an emphasis on creating global citizens as we will continue our focus on Social Emotional Learning (SEL) by staying on T.R.A.C.K. Our Falcons will be Trustworthy, Respectful, Active listeners who are leaders in the Community by showing Kindness to all.

As you can see these are exciting times at The Trail and we are so happy to have our Falcons back. Thank you for sharing your children with us, and we look forward to another great year of learning and laughter.

I would like to express my thanks to those families who braved the heat during Chalk the Walk for our teachers. The staff really appreciated being welcomed back to school with your messages written on the sidewalks. Additional thanks to our Booster Club and Mrs. Bogel, Mrs. Howitt and Mrs. Reiber for providing and organizing a welcome back breakfast for staff on August 10th.

Cody Spraberry

Proud Principal

Forest Trail Elementary

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

Principal's Coffee is Friday, Sept. 1st, at 8:30am.

Please join us in the FTE Cafeteria for coffee with Principal Spraberry at 8:30am followed by an important Booster Club Meeting at 9:15am on the State of the District with Eanes ISD Superintendent Dr. Tom Leonard.

SCHOOL NEWS

Interested in Girl Scouts?

Who: All girls entering Kindergarten through 5th grade are welcome to email jenniferlhutson@gmail.com. This does NOT commit you to joining a troop.

What: Troops usually meet 1-2 times per month outside of school (schedule is determined by volunteer troop leaders). Typically we have enough kindergarten girls interested to create two troops. We will need 4 parents interested in co-leading these two troops. There is guidance and help for new leaders! An effort will be made to find existing troops for girls entering 1st - 5th grades. If there are no openings in existing troops, new troops will be need to be formed with more parent volunteer leaders.

When: Kinder Troops should be formed by mid September, and 1st-5th graders looking to join troops will be contacted by then as well. Anyone interested in joining Girl Scouts must be signed up by September 1st.

Where: Troop meeting locations are determined by the volunteer troop leaders. Typically they meet at a troop members' home, Lost Creek MUD Building, or at different locations depending on the activity.

Why: Girl Scout Troops are a great way for your daughter to create lasting relationships with grade level friends while expanding her horizons in a variety of skills and activities. The possibilities are endless!

BOOSTER CLUB CORNER

Support YOUR Tribe through our No Hassle Fundraiser!!

Our annual FTE No-Hassle Fundraiser is our Booster Club's means of raising funds to support FTE's countless programs that are important to the education of our children but are not funded by the school's operating budget.

This simple approach asks families to make a direct donation instead of gathering pledges or selling products. 100% of your donation goes to FTE Booster Club with no fees being paid to outside companies. Our goal this year is 100% of families participating with a suggested donation of $130 per student. You can choose from a list of specific items to sponsor or donate any amount you choose. Donate online via the HUB (http://tinyurl.com/ftenohassle) or via Venmo (FTE No Hassle or @ftenohassle, please list child's name and grade in notes). Every dollar counts and will go directly to the FTE Booster Club!

Deadline is September 23rd. Prizes will be awarded to classes that reach 100% participation, and every family who donates will be entered into weekly raffle drawings for gift cards to local hot spots!

JOIN US FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST for an Important Booster Club Meeting on the State of the District with Eanes ISD Superintendent Dr. Tom Leonard.

Mark your calendars for FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1ST. Join us in the FTE Cafeteria for coffee with Principal Spraberry at 8:30 followed by our Booster Club kick-off meeting at 9:15 which will highlight an important update of our district, recapturing and how you can help given by EANES ISD Superintendent Dr. Tom Leonard. If you can't make it for coffee please still come to the meeting portion to hear how to help our district!

Don't Delay Deadline to Order FTE Spirit Wear is Monday, August 28th at 12pm!!

What an amazing line-up of spirit wear this year! If you haven't seen the new hats, socks, bows, dry-fit tees and traditional tee designs you need to check them out before they are GONE...deadline to order is MONDAY, August 23rd at 12pm. You can order on the HUB at https://www.studentinfohub.net/fte/default.taf?process=&logout=now and check out the designs on the spirit wear page at https://sites.google.com/a/eanesisd.net/fte/booster-club/spirit-t-shirts .

Get Involved in Booster Club – Calling all volunteers!

Committees are forming and there is a spot for everyone! There are so many ways to get involved and at so many different levels – don't worry if you are short on time, many of our volunteer opportunities don't require a heavy time commitment! Below is a quick list of our most critical volunteer needs. You can also read about all our committees and decide what fits you best at our booster club Volunteer Board webpage at https://sites.google.com/a/eanesisd.net/fte//booster-club/volunteer-board

Critical Volunteer Needs include:

Popcorn committee – get popping by donating only 1.5 hours per month to FTE Booster Club's third largest fundraiser of the year! Great way to meet parents and your children can deliver the popcorn! We can't pop without you! Please contract Mia Townsend to learn more at miattownsend@gmail.com or 512-608-7777

Garden Committee – become part of one of the most rewarding parts of our student's outdoor education. The FTE garden is blooming and volunteers are needed to help work with the classes during their time in a garden. What a great way to spend some time with your child and his/her classmates outdoors! This is a great one for any grandparents in the area that also love to garden! There are also opportunities for just once a month maintenance flexible around your schedule! To learn more or to volunteer please contact Madelynn Arnold at nolagirluk@gmail.com and read more about the garden and how it plays into our students outdoor learning experience at https://sites.google.com/a/eanesisd.net/fte/booster-club/landscaping

AUCTION PARTY!!! – Our auction chairs will soon be unveiling this year's theme, but if you want a sneak preview and want to be part of the best party of the at FTE email fteauction2017@gmail.com to find out how you can volunteer, become a sponsor and join the party! No time commitment too small here – it literally takes a tribe to put on this amazing party and fundraiser!

Parent Socials – We Need Your Home!

We are looking for host houses for several grade levels for this year's parent socials. Host houses are families who willing to open their home to host a grade level parent-only event with a team of nine others hosts. Great way to plan a party and spend time with grade level parent friends!

If you are interested in hosting a parent social at your home please email: fteparentsocial@gmail.com

Grades in need of venues:

Kindergarten – THIS WILL BE FALL EVENT – NEED A HOME QUICKLY

2nd Grade

3rd Grade

4th Grade

FTE Directory – Verify, Advertise, Create and Purchase!

Information verification deadline is Friday, September 15th. Please email ftedirectory@gmail.com with any updates to your information that is printed in the directory.

Advertise or give a shout-out to your student! – Great way to support and advertise to your FTE community. Special messages to your students (those outgoing 5th graders perhaps) are also welcome (several different sizes and prices to select from in our directory pages). Please contact Ann Boren at ftedirectory@gmail.com for more info.

FTE COVER ART CONTEST – it is a favorite of the kids! Please look for entry forms in Thursday folders next week with all the details and deadline is FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15TH!

Don't forget to purchase your directory and pay your booster club membership dues on the HUB at

https://www.studentinfohub.net/fte/default.taf?process=&logout=now Deadline is September 15th for directory!

5TH Grade Parents – Help Plan an Amazing Last Year at FTE for 5th Grade!

Last year at FTE is a special one and there are lots of opportunities to get involved and make it an incredible one for our outgoing 5th graders. If you are interested in volunteering please reach out to 5th Grade Event Co-Chairs - Carrie Wilken carriewilkin@hotmail.com or Kim Noonan tailoredtables@austin.rr.com.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU…..

The start of the school year is bustle of activity – thank you to these committee chairs and their committee members for getting us rolling in the right direction!

Muffin Morning – Cheers to our Booster Club Co-President Elects Kelley Inmon and Leslie Odom for organizing such a great kick-off to the school year!!

School Supplies – It takes an army to get all the supplies ordered and to our classrooms for muffin morning. Thank you to our Chair Meredith Jones for leading this amazing group of volunteers: Robyn Gaskamp, Cristen Daniel, Julie Linn, LB Townsend, Julie Hill, Lindsey Trull, Sheridan Wilson, Mari Jackson, Christie Schultz, Dawn Breyfogle, Jennifer Chorazy, Katie Thomas, Missy Spear, Dana DeLorenzo, Daisy Cramer, Karyn Reiber, Erin Placke and Melissa Blue

Staff Appreciation Kick-Off Brunch: Our AMAZING teacher appreciation committee chairs Melissa Howitt, Alison Bogle and Karyn Reiber welcomed back the staff before the start of school with a wonderful brunch.

Happy Staff = Happy Kids!

Spirit Wear – Have you seen the amazing line-up here? Shannon De Leon created a whole new way to show your Falcon Pride – don't forget to get yours by 9/15 at 12pm!!

Kept Our Garden Growing in the Summer – Madelyn Arnold led a group of volunteers that braved the Austin heat during the summer to keep our garden going -thank you to Madelyn and the following: Shannon and Doug Fohn, Victoria and Mark Lavi, Yen and Bonnie Shue and Jennifer and Justin Wendel.