GW Town Crier - 11/3/2014

[GW Town Crier]

==================================

IMPORTANT DATES:

11/4        Election Day Bake Sale

11/4        Students - 2 Hr Delayed Start (Election Day)

11/6        Academic Volunteers Meeting 3:45pm

11/7        Coffee with the Principal 7:15am

11/7        Reflections Judging and Reception 6:30pm (Library)

11/10      No School (Teacher Work Day)

11/11      PTA Meeting 7pm (Library)

11/12      Budget Forum with Dr. Crawley 7pm (TCW)

11/17      FOTO Pie Orders Due

11/18      Dine at Chipotle - Support GW!

12/13      All-District Band Auditions

==================================

ASK YOUR STUDENT about this month's PBIS pillar: Integrity. Teachings include making good choices; using good manners; remaining on task.

IT'S BAKE SALE TIME!

Join us to support GW as we sponsor our annual Election Day Bake Sale on 11/4. We need volunteers to provide baked goods. Please use the sign-up genius link below to indicate what baked goods you will provide. This year we are adding healthy options for our morning commuters! Apples, bananas, coffee and water are being added to our traditional delicious cookies, brownies and other goodies!
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f49a9a628a57-gwbake
Please use the sign-up genius link below to work in our FUN bake sale booth: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f49a9a628a57-gwbake1

If you have any questions please email Debra McCormack at dmcco...@deloitte.com

PLEASE JOIN THE PTA HONOR ROLL OF DONORS 

Our main fundraiser of the year is underway! With your donation made directly to the PTA, we are able to fund all the programs that support our students and teachers. 100% of your fully tax-deductible gift will be used to strengthen our school. Our goal this year is $20,000 - but we need your help to get there. All gifts make a difference! To pay online by credit card or to download forms to mail in a check (also attached), please see our website at http://www.gwmspta.org/fundraisers/gw-donors

Questions? Please contact Beth Resetco at 703-236-1812 or bres...@wdgarch.com.

FIRST PRINCIPAL'S COFFEE THIS FRIDAY - 7:15am

Participate in an informal chat with Principal Jesse Mazur. No RSVP needed so please attend if you can!

REFLECTIONS JUDGING AND RECEPTION THIS FRIDAY

All entrants, families and teachers invited! 11/7 at 6:30pm in the Library.

PTA MEETING NEXT WEEK - HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Featured speakers will be new TAG Resource Teacher Jennifer Podgorski, who will talk about her role at GW and how parents can stay connected; and Ms Stephanie Smith, Director of Counseling, who will talk about what her department is doing to "piece together the puzzle of middle school."  Both will provide background then participate in discussion with parents. Draft Meeting Notes from the last meeting are attached - please review and submit any questions, corrections or additions to PTA Secretary Nancy McKenna at tuck...@aol.com

EVENT TO REWARD PREXIE PRIDE THIS FRIDAY

Students who have demonstrated Prexie Pride consistently, as outlined in the Prexie Pride Matrix, with a focus on Preparation and Respect will be able to join in an exciting quarterly incentive activity the afternoon of November 7th. There will be a student-teacher volleyball game, the Step Team, Choir, and Band will perform, and the whole event will be MC'd by Mr. McDonough. In order to be eligible, from October 27 through November 7th, a student cannot have any office referrals, detentions or suspensions (including in-school suspensions). They also should have shown 100% respect to their peers and adults. The Administration is looking for some parent volunteers to help with the program that afternoon. If you would like to help out by volunteering, please contact Veronica Jackson, Dean of Students, at jeanette...@acps.k12.va.us

HELP NEEDED - PTA WEBSITE

PTA needs someone with a passion for web design and functionality to work with our current webmaster. Time commitment is regular but light, and on your own schedule. Please contact Kathy Stenzel at gwm...@gmail.com.

WRITING WORKSHOP OFFERED FOR STUDENTS 11/15

The Northern Virginia Writing Project provides one-day writing workshops for interested students and motivated writers in grades 5-12 in the fall and 4-12 in the spring as well as workshops for interested parents and families. Workshops are run by NVWP Teacher Consultants, some of the best teachers in Northern Virginia. Class size is small, with a ratio of twelve students to one Teacher Consultant. Saturday Workshop offerings run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The next workshop will be held November 15 - for more information or to enroll, visit http://nvwp.org

GW TAG BLOG NOW ONLINE

The Talented and Gifted Blog is now available. Here parents can find information about TAG related events and happenings in school as well as enrichment opportunities for their students on weekends or during the summer. The address is http://blogs.acpsk12.org/gwtag/ For more information, please contact GW's Tag Resource Teacher Jennifer Podogorski at jennifer....@acps.k12.va.us.

ACADEMIC VOLUNTEER INTEREST MEETING

GW will hold a Volunteer Interest Meeting next Thursday, November 6th at 3:30-4:30 PM. It will be held in the library at George Washington Middle School. If you are aware of anyone who wants to volunteer as a tutor, mentor, or in any capacity at George Washington Middle School this school year, please inform that person of the meeting next week. Please contact 8th Grade Counselor Stacey Thomas at sth...@acps.k12.va.us if you have any questions. Thanks!

HELP SHAPE ACPS BUDGET PRIORITIES FOR 2016

Attend the community-wide budget forum with Dr. Crawley on 11/12,  7:00-8:30pm at TC Williams. See attached announcement for more details.

DINE OUT AT CHIPOTLE AND HELP GW!

GW will hold a fundraiser at Chipotle on November 18th. The address is 4531 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22304. You will need to bring a flyer in order for our school to receive a portion of the profit. I will send a flyer later this month to the staff. Thanks to all who supported the previous fundraiser at Fireflies last month. Please contact Stacey Thomas atst...@acps.k12.va.us if you have any questions. Thanks!

FOTO PIE SALES UNDERWAY - SUPPORT OUR ORCHESTRA!

Thanks to Friends Of The Orchestra (FOTO), your dilemma about Thanksgiving dessert is solved. We have apple, pumpkin, sweet potato and pecan pies, as well as decadent flourless chocolate cake and mouthwatering French bread pudding. You know these products are high quality because they come from Bread and Chocolate. These baked goods all freeze well, and can be enjoyed on Thanksgiving day or beyond. The  prices are very reasonable, and a generous percentage of the cost goes to FOTO to support our students. Order forms are due no later than Monday, November 17.  Please note: All pies must be pre-paid. Last day for order form collection is  November 17th, 2014. Make checks payable to FOTO. Pies must be picked up in  the GW cafeteria on Monday, November 24 between 3:15pm and 6:30pm. Any questions?  Contact Sheeba Ahmed at sheeba...@yahoo.com or at 703-200-4392.

FACE SCHEDULE OF WORKSHOPS FOR NOVEMBER IS AVAILABLE

The Family and Community Engagement program of ACPS is offering a full range of workshops on topics including preventing risky behaviors, cyber-bullying, report cards and other timely topics.

To see the full list, click here.