Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Santa and Ms. Stewart sing Silent Night.

Before the break Coach Klem told the kids they'd probably be getting tons of video games for Christmas and reminded them they need outdoor running around time along with all their indoor video game time. Hopefully when it snowed everyone got plenty of that outdoor time. If you are not fond of the cold weather like me, try McKinney's newest library, the John and Judy Gay Library, on El Dorado just past Sonic for a warm (and free!) place to roam around. Not only does it have shiny, new books, it also has a big video and books on CD collection. Enjoy!

Happy Hanukkah!

The Festival of Lights is an opportunity to bring up the Hebrew adage that prompts many a volunteer "If not me, who? If not now, when?" Thanks to all those who have answered the call to volunteer for PTO and at Burks Elementary.

Friday will be a day of dizzying excitement. Christmas caroling at Good Morning Burks in the morning and holiday parties in the afternoon. Too avoid surprises on Thursday night, check now with your student if you are supposed to bring something. Parents are always welcome at the parties!

Boys, Girls & Dogs on the Nice List

There are so many volunteers to thank for making Sweets with Santa a success:
Carol Woglemoth for getting yummy cookies from Kellogg's.
Melissa Drane and Carol for wrestling up the drawing prizes.
Mrs. Bendorf for arriving at school on a Saturday at 8:30 in the morning!
Robert Champigny and the D.O.G.S. for squeezing their hands into gloves several sizes too small and passing out cookies and hot chocolate.
Candi Carminati for agreeing to be photographer after we volunteered her for the job.
Burks Choir and music teacher Ms. Stewart/Stuart for wonderful performances.
All the PTO Volunteers especially president Teri Kirkpatrick, who spent HOURS getting everything ready.
And thank you, Santa, for taking time out of your busy schedule to stop by Burks!

The Gift Shop continues until Wednesday. It will be open before and after school.
2nd grade is having their Popcorn Party this week for bringing in the most Box Tops in November.
Mark your calendar for Friday the 18th. Good Morning Burks will have a Chrismtas carol sing-a-long and there will be Holiday parties in the afternoon.

'Tis the Season

My kids are in that mopey Sunday mood fixating on going to school tomorrow, only made worse by having a whole week off. I'm sure the teachers feel some dread as well, how will they keep the students focused when they have to compete with daydreams about Christmas presents?

PTO is doing our part to infuse the Christmas spirit. Please join us for Sweets with Santa on Saturday, December 5th from 10-noon. We'll have cookies, hot chocolate, pictures with Santa, performances by Burks' Honor Choir, the Holiday Gift Shop and coloring cards for soldiers.

The Holiday Gift Shop will continue December 7th-9th. Kids get really excited about this event. It's completely run by PTO moms and dads and we need all the help we can get! Reply to this email or return the volunteer form sent home if you can spare an hour or two.

Last chance for Lost and Found. Items in Lost and Found will be going to Goodwill on Tuesday afternoon. If your student has a jacket you haven't seen in awhile, remind them to check on Monday. We've got plenty of them!

Remember to keep an eye out for Box Tops while you're doing your holiday shopping and cooking!

On the Spanish side of the marquee Thanksgiving Week translated into "A Week of Giving Thanks." Says the same thing but makes you think a bit. Take time this week to give thanks for all the great things in your life starting with your family.

Check out Burks' "Kitschy Coo Christmas Tree" at MISD's Festival of Trees Friday through Sunday at the Performing Arts Center down at the Square.

Thanksgiving Break is sooo close!

While the students are off on the school-wide Science Fieldtrip this Friday, PTO will be counting the November Box Tops. 3rd grade won the popcorn party for October with a giant bulk of the 1919 Box Tops we collected.

Santa is coming to Burks! (I'd wait to post this after Thanksgiving but it's coming up quick!)
Sweets with Santa November 5th 10-12 am
*Cookies and Milk
*Pictures with Santa
*Burks' Choir
*PTO's Holiday Gift Shop
*Card-making for Service Men Overseas
*A Drawing for a Photo Session, Taekwondo Lessons, Dancing Lessons and more!

Yet another busy week.

If you didn't make it to PeterPiper Pizza Day you missed some good pizza and awesome hot wings. Not very many people came- why not? Too far, too busy, too expensive? Let PTO know. I think most people's answer is too far.

5th grade Ambassadors (the nice kids who open your car door in the morings) are collecting items for less fortunate this week. Each grade is assigned things they can contribute. I'm buying toothpaste (1st grade) and a card game (4th). I saw a kinder parent carrying at least 15 shoe boxes for their contribution, they must have cleaned out their closet!

Wednesday is a Thanksgiving lunch at school. Don't have much info on this one yet but family is invited to attend and buy a lunch with your student.

Friday is early release at 12:45 and the last day to send in your $5 for the school-wide field trip on the 20th.

Write this down on your calendar now: Sweets with Santa, Saturday December 5th, 9-11am. The choir will be singing, Christmas movies will be showing and Santa will be sitting for photos.

The Assistant Principal & Pizza

This is our new assistant-principal, Mrs. Havard, in case you have not had the pleasure to meet her yet. If you eat at Peter Piper Pizza (121 & Custer) on Saturday November 7th, there's a possibility you could run into Mrs. Havard enjoying Burks' Peter Piper Pizza Day. Even if you don't see her there you can still order up some delicious pizza and that's a good thing. Stop in anytime on Saturday from 11am-9pm and let them know you're from Burks!

Also on Saturday is MISD's Huge Holiday Bazaar at Evans Middle School from 9am-5-pm. There's more info at MISD's website.

Teachers' Appreciation Luncheon on Monday drop off something yummy for the teachers on your way to your parent/teacher conference.

Photo: Candi Carminati

Field Day Cancelled

Field Day is no fun with mud puddles (or actually it'd be lots and lots of fun) so it's been rescheduled for sometime in the spring.
Our buddy school Glen Oaks is having a Tiger Trot on Saturday morning if you and your family would like to challenge themselves to a fun 5K. For more info:
http://www.active.com/page/Event_Details.htm?event_id=1794906

Fundraising $ Due

A picture of Burks before PTO made some improvements.

Okay, maybe it's a picture from last week's 1st grade fieldtrip to Heritage Village, but PTO has made some pretty significant additions to the school in the past years. We helped update the audio system, last year we partnered with the school to buy a new poster machine and every year we help with blue bonnet books, author visits and classroom supplies. The majority of our funds come from the catalog sales and we really appreciate all the students that help raise money. That being said, fundraiser packet money is due MONDAY OCTOBER 26th.

This week's Red Ribbon Week is devoted to drug awareness. It's a fun week for the kids with theme days, Thursday night Bingo and Friday's Field Day. After such a busy week, it's a good thing the kids have Monday off. Parents and teachers will be busy with conferences and the Teacher Appreciation Lunch. If you can bring a soup, bread or dessert on Monday, November 2nd, please let Judy Poe know- jpoejudy@aol.com, 972-814-1157.

Do you know Judy Poe?

You might have seen Judy Poe around school but you might have also caught a glimpse of her at official MISD functions where she serves on the School Board (I lifted this fine photo of Judy from the School Board page). It's a big job but Judy still finds time for Burks PTO where she's in charge of Teacher Appreciation. That means monthly cupcakes for teachers' birthdays and planning a luncheon twice a year. Our first Teacher Apppreciaiton Luncheon is coming up on Parent/Teacher Conference Day, November 2nd. We're asking parents for soups in crockpots or breads/muffins/cornbreads or a dessert. This allows the teachers to eat lunch at school that day and not have to rush out and wolf something down. If you'd like to bring something, give her a call 972-814-1157 or send her an email at jpoejudy@aol.com. Thanks!

First grade has a field trip this week! If you want to accompany your child on an upcoming field trip, don't forget to fill out MISD's volunteer application- link is on the right hand side of this page.

I forgot the most important information of all! 5th graders are at Sky Ranch. All your cookie dough money is being put to good use teaching kids about science and team work! Thanks for supporting all 5th/4th grade fundraisers to make this happen! Good Luck to 5th Grade this week!

Highlights from our Meeting

What goes on at a PTO meeting? Lots of talking and planning. Here's a rundown of some of the items we discussed last Tuesday.
*Chili Cook-Off was cancelled! Teachers already pitched in to help the school with the Kickball Tournament and the upcoming Bingo Night so the Chili Cook-Off was a bit much for them.
*Possibility of having a Peter Piper Pizza Night.
*The Holiday Gift Shop in December. In conjunction with the Gift Shop, we're planning a Saturday morning Breakfast with Santa. Lots of discussion about whether making pancakes is possible or if we should have sweets brought in by parents or just buy donuts.
*School Requests: Mrs. Bendorf asked PTO to think about donating some kind of stepping stones for the super muddy areas from the gym to the playground. Also on her wish-list is BIG TREES for the playground.
*We're buying insurance (always a good idea) for our events and a license to show movies.

Most of the time we're talking about either raising money or spending money. Our Catalog Sales Fundraiser just kicked-off this Friday. This is the primary way we fund things from inflatables at the carnival to teacher requests to buying blue bonnet books. Help PTO out by purchasing a thing or two from your favorite Burks' student!

The Score? 50,000 to 2

It was an athletic week for Burks. Everyone had a great time at the Burks/Glen Oaks Kickball Challenge on Tuesday, although finding out the score was a little difficult. Were they even keeping score? Mrs. Hurbough told my son Burks won 50,000 to 2 and I am going to stick with that.

Several teachers got even more of a work out at the Crepe Myrtle Trails 5K & 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk on Saturday. I saw about 10 teachers and several Burks families participating. $5 of each Burks' person's entry fee went to Burks so I think we probably earned at least $100 for the school wide science field trip. Coach Klemm was so excited to see whole families out doing physical activity together. She would like to see an even greater turn out at McKinney's next run/walk: The Believe 10K, 5K & 1Mile Run/Walk sponsored by St. Andrews and held around the Square on November 28th.

PTO is meeting this Tuesday at 4pm. The public is always welcome.
Packets for our Catalog Sales Fundraiser go out this Friday. I know times are tough financially but when each student is able to raise a little money, collectively we are able to do so much with it!

Support the Science Camp!

You must see the Teacher Kickball Challenge this Tuesday!
Admission is only $1 and all proceeds go towards Burks' 5th Grade Science Camp!
6:30 at Burks
Burks Teachers vs. Glen Oaks

I hear the Book Fair will be in the cafeteria that evening too. Last chance to get some great books at great prices!

Brand New Book Fair Sept 21-25

This year there are a couple of new things about the Book Fair this year. First, it is being run by a different company named Southwest. I have no idea what difference that makes, different books? A new look? Everyone will have to come in to check it out themselves. Also new to the Book Fair, is our new coordinator, Carol Wolgemuth. It's not too late to send in your form to volunteer! Monday and Tuesday the classes will preview the books and Wednesday through Friday students can come down to make a purchase. The Book Fair will be open from 8:15-4:00. Parents and visitors are welcome to drop before and after school as well as during the day. It's a great place to buy Christmas presents for kids or an appreciation present for teachers.

Did you know Mo Willems has a blog on blogspot too?! http://mowillemsdoodles.blogspot.com
What a cool author.

What do D.O.G.S. do?

D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) spend a day or a half day at school going to classes, patrolling the hallways and helping students. You probably will be paired up with your child for a little bit but you will also experience other grades and classes. My husband's done several half-days and comes home exhausted and amazed at the teachers' stamina and patience. Your chance to find out more information about D.O.G.S. is this Tuesday at 5:30. All Dads, Grandpas and other interested male relatives are welcome. Do I need to mention there will be free pizza?

After the D.O.G.S. meeting is Curriculum Night. Grades Kinder through 2nd are meeting from 6-6:30 and then grades 3-5 will meet 6:30-7.

I was dropping off some poison ivy cream during lunch on Friday and was amazed by the amount of Grandparents and other relatives that came to Burks for Grandparents & Grandfriends Day. I sat next to a Grandma who took the day off and drove all the way from Tyler. I think she and everyone else who came deserve a big gold star sticker.

Start of a Busy School Year

Mrs. Moore sent home a calendar full of all sorts of things like this Friday is wear red, white and blue day for Good Morning Burks and also that this Thursday is Mrs. Bendorf's birthday. Friday is also Grandparents and Grandfriends Day at Burks, don't forget to invite an elderly relative or friend for lunch. An important date for parents is Curriculum Night and the D.O.G.S. meeting Tuesday the 15th. Also Picture Day is Thursday the 17th. My favorite upcoming date is September 29th- the Kickball Challenge between Burks and Glen Oaks at the First Baptist Church. Just a dollar admission per person, this is a great way to raise funds for Burks' 5th Grade Science Camp. Although you can't always make every school event, remember what a difference you make when you are involved in your child's education!

Grandparents and Volunteers are Great!

The school is celebrating Grandparents' Day on September 11th. Invite a grandparent, grandparents, or an elderly friend to lunch with your child, they will love it!

On Wednesday is the MISD Volunteers in Public Schools Breakfast at the First Baptist Church Life Center from 9-10. This is for anyone who does any amount of volunteering from helping out in your child's class room to PTO/PTA events. There will also be sessions afterwards if you would like to stay. They include affordable travel destinations, products that help you stay organized, how to protect your family from the swine flu and quick and healthy breakfast options presented by Market Street There are 2 sets of sessions, one from 10-11 and another from 11-12. It's a great way to get psyched of the school year!

Cell Phone Use in School Zones.

This is from the City of McKinney's website. I suppose everyone has heard it by now.

Use of a mobile communication device on city streets is prohibited when the school zone
hours are in effect in the morning and afternoon for drivers of any vehicle if the car is in
motion. Hands-free devices are allowed when using a mobile communications device in
a school zone, and cell phone use is allowed in a vehicle when it is stopped. It is
permissible for passengers in the cars to use cell phones. There are exceptions for
medical, fire or police related emergencies.

Drivers caught using a cell phone to place calls or send text messages in a school zone
or in the public street without using a hands free device while operating a vehicle could
get warning the first time or up to a $200 fine. Signs will be posted warning drivers of the
new ordinance.

The whole document can be found at :
http://www3.mckinneytexas.org/www/uploadedFiles/Departments/Communications_and_Marketing/Press_Releases/CellPhoneOrdinance080709.pdf

Roll out the Red Carpet

Students returning to Burks this morning got a super red carpet weclome. Most children strode up like stars, some made a detour around the fuss and a few looked like they were being dragged back to school. And then there were those that had to be carried- the first day of Kindergarten can be tough.
There will be lots of tears shed today, some sad ones and some for joy. Mine will be both. Sad that my boys seem so independent that they don't need me to walk them to class and happy because my house will remain quiet and undisturbed for 7 hours in a row.

For your to-do list this week:
1.Give your child a giant hug and tell them they will have a great school year.
2.Fill out all the paperwork and return it to school ASAP. This really helps the teachers and the staff.
3.Don't forget to complete your volunteer application form (link on the left hand side of this page). Doing it the night before a field trip is too late!

Have a great year!

Can't make it Thursday?

Burks is the place to be this Thursday night, but what if you can't make it?
The teacher's list is usually posted on the windows of the front office so that you can check the list at any time. You can also call the school that Friday if you are so inclined.

And if you are waiting for the tax-free weekend and haven't bought your supplies by Thursday, you are still more than welcome to come on Meet the Teacher night. Just don't forget to bring your supplies on Monday!

Hot dog! 3 weeks until school!

Mark your calendar for the most exciting day before the start of school- meeting your new teacher- at Burks' Meet the Teacher and Hot Dog Supper, Thursday August 20th. Actually, the hot dog supper comes first between 6 and 7 and then from 7 to 8 you can meet your teacher and drop off school supplies.

Cooking is not one of my favorite things so I'm happy to say the school will be making the hot dogs and PTO will be sitting pretty at tables giving out the pre-ordered school supplies and handing out information about volunteering. We have a few extra pre-ordered school supplies for each grade that are first come first served. If you realized that you do not want to step out in this heat to buy a single pencil and are interested in one of our extra packages, send me an email and we'll see what we can do : burkspto@yahoo.com.

Other items for your back to school checklist:

• Fill out MISD's volunteer form (links to the new and returning forms are midway down on the left handside of this page under Links)
  

• Make a copy of a current utility bill or housing contract or rental agreement to prove your proof of residency

Mom, what are we doing today?

School's been out a month, I hope you've had the opportunity to visit Finch Park or Towne Lake. Don't forget to take advantage of McKinney's pools, Juanita Maxfield or the Old Settler's Aquatic Center- it's $1.25 for youth and $2 for those over 10 years of age. If you're looking for something free that's air conditioned don't forget to stop by McKinney's public library.

Six Flags of Fun!

You can start using your free Six Flags Six Hour Reading Club tickets starting today through August 9th.

When we go this summer, I will be sticking strictly to the kiddy rides and the two water rides. No roller coasters or whirling tea cups for me!

Celebrate the end of the year!

The school sent this out a little late so I'll post it in case you have not seen it.

Celebration Ceremonies
Monday, June 1st
9am Kindergarten
2:30 2nd

Tuesday, June 2nd
9am 1st
1:45 4th
2:45 3rd

Wednesday, June 3rd
2:30 5th

I also heard a rumor about a note sent home that the Talent Show will only be on Thursday during the day (and not Wednesday night). My son vaguely remembers this note but it did not make its way home. You may want to call school if you would like more details.

As for PTO news: Parents can still buy prepackaged school supplies until June 3rd. Bags for collecting Box Tops over the summer are being sent home on Tuesday. Even if your bag does not make it home, you can still save Box Tops over the summer and return them to school in the fall!

Happy Memorial Day

8 more days of school left...

Go Hawaiian

I've got people sending their pictures of the Carnival taken with cameras much niftier than my little one, so I will post them as soon as I get them. It was such a success, people didn't even want to leave at 8:00 when it closed. It was great to have all the games in the nice, cool indoors. Hopefully you passed by the PTO booth selling popcorn and considered buying prepackaged school supplies (It's not too late to buy one! We'll be selling them until the end of the year). Burks' staff and many parent volunteers did a wonderful job making this happen. A special thank you goes to Nurse Kelly, Cory St Aubin and Toni Crawford for all their hard work planning and running the Carnival.

On top of helping with the Carnival, Cory is also working on the talent show with Mrs. Stout. It's no small feat with 44 acts this year. There will be an additional night performance for parents on June 4th and then a daytime performance for the students on the last day of school. The Grammys go to Hawaii is the theme, so you will be seeing more Hawaiian creations built by Robert Champigny. (Did you see his fabulous palm tree archway at the Carnvial?)

Tuesday is this year's last CiCi's pizza night.

Don't forget to send your kids to school with water bottles and sunscreen for their trip to Finch Park this Thursday!

CARNIVAL this Friday!

This year there will be FOUR inflatibles at the Carnival for running, jumping and climbing!
Don't forget to send money to school for a wrist band for the inflitables ahead of time so you don't have to waste a minute of your time waiting in line. It's $7.50 for unlimited use of all the inflatibles. In addition to inflatibles and games there will also be food: nachos, cotton candy, pizza and popcorn. Tickets for food and games are .50 cents. PTO will be manning the popcorn machine and aslo selling pre-packaged school supplies on the side. Come by and visit with us!

Teacher of the Year

Congratulations to Mr. Young, Burks' Teacher of Year! Besides being Burks' energetic reading teacher, Mr. Young is always game for such things as manning the dunking booth during the carnival or dressing up like Beyonce for TAKS. You can show Mr. Young and all the teachers at Burks your appreciation by dropping a dessert off at school this Thursday morning for the Teacher Appreciation Luncheon.

Fliers about important PTO and school stuff should be coming home in flurries these next few weeks. If you don't regularly see the fliers your child is supposed to bring home, make sure you poke around their backpack for more information on events such as:

• CARNIVAL is on Friday May 15th, less than 2 weeks away!
  
• Prepackaged School Supplies will be on sale very soon
  
• THE GRAMMYS are going to Hawaii! Tryouts are on May 12th.
  
• Kindergarten Registration started on Friday and the Kinder Round-Up is on the 19th.

McDonald's Night is tomorrow! Remember 15% of your purchase goes to PTO. Thanks!

Baker Alert

Not much going on this week except for TAKS and rain. How dreary!
The teachers will have something to look forward to next week- bbq at the Teacher's Appreciation Luncheon on Thursday the 7th. If you are able to bring a dessert (anything from store-bought cookies to a homemade cake) both the teachers and PTO will appreciate it. Just drop it by the library on Thursday morning. Thanks!

Yay! New Board Members

Yay for Melissa Drane and Casey Tidmore stepping up to a challenge and becoming our new Treasurer and Secretary respectively! Don't worry though, there are plenty more volunteer opportunities available for everyone! Do you have a desire to help with the marquee? Mrs. Montgomery is always very grateful to the kind person who does this duty. Many thanks to Clair who has done it all this year but will be moving on to Middle School.

Tomorrow is CiCi's pizza night- eat in or make it an easy night and get take-out.

We entering the last months of school and there is still plenty in the works- the Carnival with even more inflatables this year, the Teacher Appreciation Luncheon and we hope to be selling pre-packaged school supplies too.

Last of all, CHECK LOST AND FOUND! It is brimming full of winter coats. Everything will be gone Friday afternoon so make sure your child has all of their coats and jackets.

1st Grade Wins Again!

For the second time this year, 1st grade turned in the most Box Tops. They had almost double of what the rest of the other grades turned in. They will be getting another pop corn party popped by the fine ladies of PTO.

Lost and Found is full of jackets! The unclaimed jackets will be gone by the of the week so make sure your child checks for any missing clothing items before Friday.

PTO Meeting this Thursday for Everyone

Pictures of the awesome David Chicken concert and slime-ing are coming as soon as I learn how to create a slide show. The kids really enjoyed it- some danced the entire time!

If you were there you would have also seen PTO present flowers to Clair Wall and Besty & Mary Tunnell, PTO volunteers for YEARS who are moving on to Middle School. (In the photo there's Clair and her daughter Cat, Mrs. Bendorf, Mary Tunnell and Betsy Tunnell). Burks was so lucky to have them help out with events over the year and now there is a big void to fill. Come help fill it by attending PTO's meeting this Thursday, April 5th at 5pm. See where you can pitch in so that we can continue to have fun activities for the kids.

David Chicken clucking away this Friday Night

Mrs. Randolph had so many penny votes that she needed two cups. But I think students must have been stuffing dollars in Mrs. Montilla's cup because she had the most votes in Kindergarten. See who else won on Friday night right after the concert!

David Chicken Concert
(and Slime the Teacher)
Friday 3rd, 6pm-8pm
Bring a picnic or buy pizza and drinks at the concert.
Don't forget a blanket to sit on!

David Chicken coming soon!

Less than 2 weeks away is Burks' Family Picnic and Concert featuring David Chicken on Friday night, April 3rd! You are welcome to bring your own food or we will have pizza & drinks for sale again. Don't forget comfy blankets to sit on.

We're collecting March Boxtops this Friday, so send them in! The Friday before Spring Break we had 2nd grade's popcorn party for winning last month. It was just the right thing for kids who just could not wait for their week of to begin. Who will win in March?

Tuesday is CiCi's Pizza Night.

Although not related to PTO- DOGS (Dads of Great Students) is having a donuts for Dads on Thursday at 7:30am. Hopefully Dads out there will have a chance to drop in before work.

Valentine's Day Dance

Cory wanted to thank

Toni Crawford

Lisa Springer

Judy Montgomery

Lindsay Montgomery

Kelly Cook

Carol Wohlemuth

Sharon Shelvin and the whole Shelvin family plus

all the other wonderful Volunteers that helped with the Valentine's Day Dance.

Dr. Seuss Day

One more week before Spring Break!

Tuesday Open House 6:00-7:00, 7-7:30 Survey and Pizza, 8:00 Meeting and Ice Cream for Dads

Thursday PTO Meeting 5:00-6:00 Public is invited to come!

2nd grade won the latest Popcorn Party for bringing in the most Box Tops.

TAKS Tuesday & Survey

Tuesday is McDonald's Night which will give all those TAKS takers something to look forward to. Parents are asked not to lunch or drop in on Tuesday or on any of the other TAKS days that are coming up the next few months.

Take our Survey! I don't have a counter to tell me how many people visit this page so I thought I'd take a poll located on the upper righthand side of the website. If you are reading this please pick an appropriate answer. Thanks!

Last week's magician James Wand received the highest compliment possible, Teri said she'd never seen the students sit so quietly during any performance. He certainly caught my kids' attention when he set a book on fire. They also kept saying "Ciao baby!" but I never learned why. Maybe it's the new abracadabra.

You are all invited to next week's PTO meeting. We would LOVE for you to drop in and get involved, or you can just sit back and observe on Thursday, March 12th at 5pm in the Library.

Wand, James Wand.

I wanted to add James' name to the previous posting in case you are nosy like me about those things.

James Wand will be performing his Secret Agent Magic Show at Burks this Friday during a special assembly (or at least that's what we called these kinds of things when I was at school). Magic and the joy of reading will be thrown in together. You can check out his website at www.jameswand.com

Quick Week

This is an early release week ending with a school-wide Reading is Fun program with a special guest on Friday sponsored by PTO. 1st grade will have an extra special Friday because they are having their Box Top Popcorn Party right after lunch. Outside if the weather is nice. Teri is doing the final counts for February's winner. I think we've almost reached our $500 goal for the year.

Drive Friendly

I used to read in the carpool lane until this Christmas when I got an iPhone. Now it's my favorite toy to play with while I wait in line. In August I will have to go back to reading when the City of McKinney starts enforcing it's ban on drivers with handheld electronic devices in school zones. This applies to all moving, standing or even parked vehicles in school zones during the designated times.This includes drivers in carpool lanes and parking lots using anything from a cell phone to a gameboy.

For now you are better off concentrating on the current laws like slowing down in school zones. Although not as often enforced, I've also seen cars in the neighborhood given tickets for parking against traffic. I think parked, stalled or standing cars that block a crosswalk (like those at the intersection of Hill and Graves) is also a ticketable offense.

Then there's just common courtesy:
Drop off and pick up in designated areas.
Do not drop off or pick up at any of the corners of Hill and Graves.
Be courteous to Burks' neighbors, do not block their driveways.
If you are going South on Finch don't try to turn left on to Hill and cut in the carpool lane. This happens a lot the first week of school, but I am surprised that it still goes on way into the year.
Give pedestrians the right of way.

Remember little kids are everywhere- on foot, bikes and scooters! Let's keep them SAFE!

Cici's Pizza Night this Tuesday. Pizza is the best cure for cabin fever.

Friday the 20th is the deadline for Six Flag Reading Logs, don't forget to turn yours in!
Check back later this week- Cory is sending me Valentine's Dance pictures and some special thanks yous to volunteers.

Time Clarification

Family Night Hours for Thusday, February 12th
Book Fair 6:00-800pm
Family Sweetheart Dance 6:30-8:00pm

I Heart Books

Classes started writing their wish lists of books at the Book Fair this morning. Take a look at your child's list and check out what they like to read. You can buy books at the Book Fair all this week: Monday through Thursday 8:15am-4:15pm, plus Thursday 6:00pm-8pm and Friday 8:15am-noon (or you can always see if the school or public library carries some of your child's favorite picks).

The cafeteria will be full of pink and red balloons, cupids and hearts this Thursday for the Family Sweetheart Dance from 6:30-8:00pm. It's not just dancing, there will be coloring and I think even some games. Dress up or dress comfortably and have a great time!

Did you hear about the cell phones in school zones ban passed last week by City Council? It includes hands-free phones and also talking on phones even while you are in a parked car in a school zone. Sounds like a good subject to go over in next week's blog.

Have a cautious Friday the 13th and a Happy Valentine's Day!

Box Tops & Books

The popcorn machine was a hit with Kindergarten! PTO was glad the Popcorn Party for bringing in the most Box Tops could be turned into a learning experience- heat causes change. And what is better than a science experiment you can eat?

Teri is announcing the winner of January's Box Top contest in February's newsletter due out tomorrow. I'm sure we can apply "the science of the popcorn machine" to any grade- Mrs. McGuire was already thinking how it could relate to circuits and electricity for her 5th graders.

The biggest day of the Book Fair is this Friday- set up day. It involves about an hour of moving things and then 2 hours of rearranging little things. Clair has it down to a science- come by Friday morning 9am-noon and lend a hand! The Book Fair is open all next week including before and after school and late on Thursday night (night of the Family Sweetheart Dance- don't forget to dress up!). Even if you can't volunteer during those times, you are always welcome to drop in!

Thursday- not quite a snow day.

What makes popcorn pop?

I have to say a big THANKS to all the parents who are turning in Box Tops and clipping them so nicely. It really makes counting go by fast when they are nice and trimmed.
This week we're having a popcorn party for Kindergarten who turned in the most Box Tops in November (yes, we're a little behind on this but catching up fast!). The timing couldn't be better because they are studying why popcorn pops. PTO is bringing out the popcorn cart so they can see and hear it in action. I've never used the cart before and I'm hoping it's easy to use so that we can wheel it out at other PTO events.

So just how does popcorn pop? Here's the answer from the NASA for kids website:
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/index.html
Only popcorn kernels can pop, and the secret is water. Each kernel contains a small amount of water stored in a circle of soft starch inside the hard outer casing. When heated to around 450 F, the moisture turns to steam, creating pressure within. As the pressure builds, the casing eventually gives way, and the kernel explodes and pops, allowing the water to escape as steam and turning the kernel inside out. If you have ever popped popcorn, you know that it explodes everywhere!

Busy as Bees

This is a day late since yesterday we were off enjoying MLK Day at the Dallas Art Museum checking out King Tut. The Egyptian dog collar, the pre-pilow/head rest and a replica of King Tut's skull seemed to popular with the kids.

Tonight is CiCi's pizza night for those of you who enjoy pizza and/or pasta. And even salads for who enjoy those.

Although PTO does not have any events scheduled in January, we're still pretty busy. Clair has been working very hard creating decorations and making sure everything will be in order of the Book Fair next month. Cory is doing likewise for the Sweetheart dance. Teri and I are squaring away the boxtops and other PTO members are gearing up to write our Soaring Eagle Scholarship guidelines. Want to contribute too? Then don't forget to fill out the volunteer form for the Book Fair! Or talk to any PTO board members if you have something special in mind you would like to do.

Bring in your Box Tops!

Send in any Box Tops you may have floating around your house. Mine our like confetti in my junk drawer in the kitchen. We're about to start gathering and counting all the Box Tops that the students (and teachers) have brought in. We are halfway to our goal of $500 and I think we can reach that and surpass it!

A Brand New Year

2009 will be another busy year for PTO!

We're combining our Book Fair and Sweetheart Dance in February. Fall in love with books and then dance the night away.

How do we top last year's Eddie Coker concert? With a chihuahua! David Chicken and his superhero dog, Super Chachie, will entertains Burks with songs and tricks in April.

As school winds down in May and TAKS tests are over we'll celebrate with our Carnival and everyone's favorites - inflatables.

Plus, there's the Teacher Appreciation Luncheon and we'll be selling prepackaged school supplies again. Stay tuned for more details!