A Friendly Reminder

Tonight! Webster night at Islands! Come on down and reconnect with all your Webster pals-5pm till closing. See you there!

Earn Money For Webster Without Lifting A Finger

Ok everyone, starting August 12th, you can earn extra money for Webster just by doing your grocery shopping at Vons or Pavillions!  Look for the “10% Goes Back to Schools” promotion and pick up participating products using your club card through September 15th.  Pretty simple, huh?  And hey, Monarch Community School in Santa Cruz, CA earned $15,941 through this program last year, so what’s stopping us?
Here’s what you do: 1.  Register for eScrip at https://secure.escrip.com/jsp/supporter/registration/step1.jsp
(Our into: Daniel Webster Elementary School / eScrip Group ID – 139977991)
2.Use your club card and shop for products marked with the 10% back to schools logo. eScrip wil automatically tally your totals.
3. Tell all of your friends and family to sign up!
The top 200 earners will receive a $1,000 bonus.  And, as a member of eScrip, you’ll earn money for Webster all year long.

*If you are not signed up for eScrip, you will receive a cash register receipt worth money on your first shopping visit.  Collect as many receipts or Club Card numbers as you can, then go online to www.backtoschools.escrip.com to redeem your register receipt tape codes.

Happy Shopping!

Webster Uniform Policy

The Webster School uniform consists of Navy or Khaki bottoms (pants, shorts, skirts, skorts, jumpers, leggings) and white, navy or light blue tops (polos or button downs).  Kids can wear jeans and a Webster logo t-shirt on Fridays.  You may purchase uniforms at any store or online retailer.  We will also be selling Webster logo clothing at various school events.

Save the Date!

• Attention Incoming Kindergarteners: Give your kindergartener a chance to meet new friends and connect with old Webster buddies at two fun events before school starts. The first will be a fun, get to know you playdate on July 30th, 2009 at 4:00pm at Vina Vieja park on Orange Grove in Pasadena (better known to some as “the Dog Park.”). This playdate is for all incoming kindergarteners and their families. Bring bikes, snacks, scooters, drinks, and come prepared to have a great time! We will also be hosting a New Families/Kindergarten Welcome Celebration on September 1st, on the Kindergarten playground at school. It will be a playtime, potluck and a chance to see the classrooms, get the tour, scope out the bathrooms and cafeteria, pick up Webster uniforms and gear and learn the ropes before the big day!

• Back to School: Our traditional Welcome Back To School Social will be held on September 9th, at 4:30pm There will be treats, sign-up opportunities for our exciting slate of upcoming events and Webster polos, sweatshirts, t-shirts and uniforms for sale, so don’t miss out!

• Islands in the Summer Remember how much fun we all had at our Island’s fundraiser last fall? Well, mark your calendars because we’re doing it again in August. Make plans now to meet up with all your Webster friends on August 24th at Islands on Foothill in Hastings Ranch for a fun summer dinner date!

Thanks, Congrats and a Couple of Shout-Outs

Yes, We Can!
To each and every student who brought in aluminum cans, congratulations! Our school collected over 3,000 cans, which will be cashed in to help with PTA programs. This summer, as you’re having family bbq’s and summer picnics, remember to keep saving those cans. We will be having another can drive in the Fall, so do your part to save the earth while helping our school at the same time!

Extreme Makeover, Cafeteria Edition
We had a fantastic response to our annual coin and dollar drive, enough to replace our rickety old cafeteria tables and put a brand new coat of paint on the walls! To all who dug pennies, coins and dollars out of pockets, car ashtrays, couch cushions and junk drawers, great work! And to those who spent countless hours sorting and counting coins, thank you from the bottom of our hearts…and a jumbo tub of hand santitzer! We will be painting the cafeteria this summer, and we need your help! If you would like to help with prep or painting, please contact Emilline Nice at emillinenice@yahoo.com.

Super Singers
One of the highlights of our year was the Young Americans workshop in May. Our students sang danced and rehearsed for three days, culminating in a fabulous performance at the end of the weekend. It was a one of a kind experience for our students and parents alike, all made possible by Nestlé. Thank you to this wonderful organization for their continued generosity and support of Webster. Behind the scenes, we had many parents who pitched in by providing food, helping hands and places for the Young Americans to stay while they were here. Thank you for your enthusiastic support!

Room Parent News
A giant thank you to each and every parent who has helped our teachers, in big ways and small. Your willingness to pitch in and help out by making copies, organizing events, going on field trips, buying supplies, filing, stuffing homework folders, stapling decodable books and countless other tasks, is truly appreciated by our teachers and the PTA alike! Now, we want just one more thing from you…your opinion! Please send your feedback and suggestions regarding our Room Parent structure and operation to Maggie Brandow at maggiebrandow@yahoo.com.

Bring in those Box Tops…
Congratuations to all of our 2008-2009 Box Tops winners. You all collected enough box tops to raise over $1,000 this year! So when you pick up granola bars for your summer hike, or bake cookies for ice cream sandwiches, pour a bowl of cereal or grab some fruit snacks on the run…don’t forget to save the Box Tops! Remember to tell your friends, family and neighbors to do the same thing. Who knows? You may just end up being September’s big winner!

Have A Great Summer

Summer is here, although you wouldn’t know it by looking at the gray skies. But as we all know, the June gloom will soon pass, the days will heat up and it won’t be long before we’re shopping for school supplies and crisp new uniforms once again. Time flies, as it always does, and it has been a pleasure for me to watch our children grow and our school flourish over the past few years. During my time as PTA president, I have truly enjoyed working with all of you on making Webster a strong neighborhood school. Thank you for your support, for your enthusiasm, for your help and for your involvement. I plan to stay involved here, in the classrooms, in the PTA and on campus, and I hope that you will too. Please take a minute to introduce yourself to our new PTA President, Mayra Villa-Kowal. I know that there are lots of great plans for next year’s PTA and many ways to be involved in your child’s education. I look forward to working alongside all of you as we continue to make our school a great place to be! Have a wonderful summer.
Amy — amy@danwolfe.com

FIND YOUR VOICE THIS WEEKEND with the YOUNG AMERICANS!

Love “American Idol?” How about “So You Think You Can Dance?” Ever thought of trying your hand at those auditions? Chances are your kids have too. Well, there’s need to fight the crowds or brave Simon’s snarky remarks…we’ve got the opportunity to show your stuff right here at Webster! This weekend, your kids can participate in a professional singing, dancing and performing workshop with the world renowned YOUNG AMERICANS! Even better, this amazing opportunity is coming to us FREE OF CHARGE, courtesy of our good friends at Nestle. And, believe it or not, there are still spots available!

Now, if you don’t know much about the Young Americans, here’s a little bit of background. This group has been around for over 50 years, and their mission is to train talented young singers and performers, then send them into schools all over the world to give kids the tools to find their own unique voices through music. There are over 200 Young Americans from 37 states and seven countries touring the world right now. Among the group’s 3,000 alumni are working professionals in music education, fine arts, motion pictures, television, radio, Broadway and recording.

The three day workshop is open to everyone (1st through 8th grade), regardless of talent or training. The Young Americans make the workshop fun for all, and their unique talent is in bringing out your child’s strengths within a positive, energetic, safe environment, where every voice is valued. Students will be grouped according to grade, so that the Young Americans can teach them right at their level. They’ll learn everything from vocal techniques, to acting and improv, to dance, theatre and staging, so there really is something for everyone. At 5:00 on Sunday evening, your child will perform, onstage, alongside the Young Americans, in a full-fledged, professional concert that will rival anything you’ve seen on TV. It truly is amazing what your kids will learn in just this one weekend. Your entire family will want to come to this one!

So, if your child is at all interested in music, acting, dancing or being “behind the cameras” (we do live in LA, after all) you will want take advantage of this amazing, FREE (seriously, no strings attached!) opportunity. Registration begins at 3:30pm tomorrow afternoon, just bring your child and we will have permission slips for you to fill out, and you’re ready to go. You’ll need to send a sack lunch on Saturday and a heavy snack on Sunday evening, but dinner on both Friday and Saturday will be provided.

Here is a schedule for the weekend:

Friday, May 15th, Webster School

3:30pm Check In
4:00pm Orientation and Young Americans Demonstration
5:00pm Vocal Ensemble
6:00pm Dinner Break (provided)
7:00pm Performance Workshop
9:00pm End of Day

Saturday, May 16th, Webster School

8:00am Class #1 (voice/dance/acting)
9:00am Class #2 (voice/dance/acting)
10:00am Class #3 (voice/dance/acting)
11:00am Performance Workshop
12:00pm Lunch Break (sack lunch)
1:00pm Vocal Ensemble
3:00pm Performance Workshop
5:00pm Dinner Break (Provided)
6;00pm Rehearsal
8:00pm End of Day

Sunday, May 17 PASADENA HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM

2:00pm Dress Rehearsal
4:00pm Dinner Break (from home)
5:00pm Show

We’re Flipping Out!

Ok, Webster Wolves, here is something to Howl about!  We are having our First Annual Pancake Breakfast and Mother’s Day Boutique on Saturday, May 2, 2009.  The time is 8:00am ’till noon, and we’ll be serving you all the pancakes, bacon, coffee and OJ you can eat for only $5.00 per person.  Kids under 2 are FREE and our very special teachers are also FREE!  So come on down to the kindergarten playground (at Pepper and Washington) to “Wolf” down some pancakes, shop for some great Mother’s Day gifts, and enjoy a fun outdoor breakfast with your Webster friends, family and neighbors.

If you’re crafty or have some great items to sell, we still have boutique booth space  available.  Booths are $25.00 per vendor, and if you don’t have your own table, we’ll rent you one for $5.00.  You keep the profits!  Please contact Emilline Nice (626) 376-7757 or emillinenice@yahoo.com if you are interested

February is Here!

Coming Up…
February 4th School Site Council Meeting
February 6th Room Parent Meeting
February 13th Lincoln’s Birthday-Holiday
February 16th Washington’s Birthday-Holiday
February 17th Free Dress
February 17th-23rd Book Fair
February 18th PTA Meeting
February 19th Chuck E. Cheese Night
February 20th Parent Meeting
February 27th Wear Your PJ’s Day

A Hearty Thanks
It’s hard to believe that the school year is already half over..and we Wolves have a lot to be proud of. We’ve watched our new shade structures take shape over the playground and the driveway. We’ve worked hard to clean up our school grounds on beautification day and we’ve planted a lush and productive garden. We’ve gazed at the stars, we’ve met up for dinner once a month and we put on a full-fledged rock concert on our athletic field. And that’s just the beginning! It’s amazing what we have accomplished in such a short period of time. I want to personally thank each and every person who has put their time, energy and talent into our wonderful school. You all are the reason why it’s a pleasure to walk through the gates each morning. Thank you. Now, the next few months hold many more opportunities to work – and eat – together, starting with our February restaurant night at Chuck E. Cheese. It’s going to be memorable, so mark your calendars for the 19th and join us for a night of crazy fun. See you there! Amy — amy@danwolfe.com

You Rock!

Just in case you’re wondering, the parents at Webster School are amazing. Without all of you, our Webster Rocks fundraiser on December 20th would have been a rinky-dink affair. From start to finish, this Music Festival was anything but. The music was fantastic, the food was delicious, and it was hands down the coolest school fundraiser ever. To top things off, we raised over $3,000 for the school! To each and every one of your who lent us your talents, who created amazing flyers and posters, came early, stayed late, brought your own equipment, moved staging, swept, lugged tables, took tickets, helped kids make autograph books, manned the silent auction, took care of the bands, made plate after plate of delicious food, brewed coffee and totally rocked out…thank you. We truly could not have done it without you!

It’s Going to be a Banner Year

Attention business owners!  Put your advertising dollars where your community can see them every day, right here on the Webster School fence. For just $500.00, you will receive one year of banner space, and your money will go towards: 5 field trips outside of the Pasadena area or admission to an educational field trip for 50 students. School supplies for 5 classrooms or fresh paint in the cafeteria Now how’s that for getting the job done while doing some good at the same time? If you are interested in advertising your business on our fence, please contact Emilline Nice at emillinenice@yahoo.com for details.

Keep our campus Beautiful

Yes, Webster has tons of curb appeal, but there’s nothing like a scraggly rosebush or trash on the front lawn to take away from our school’s charm. What can you do about it? Pick up trash on the grounds as you walk into school. Grab a broom from the parent’s center and sweep the asphalt after dropping your kids off. And if you’re especially handy with a hammer or a rake, join the beautification committee! We will be having a spring beautification day soon. If you’d like to be involved, contact Julie Ward at wardjt@sbcglobal.net for more details.

Upcoming “Fun-draisers”

• Save your Pennies: You know all that change you dump into a jar on your dresser? It’s a pain in the neck to count it, and those machines always take a percentage…so why not let us take care of it for you? During the week of March 30th-April 3rd, we will be holding our annual Dollar and Coin Drive! Start collecting your small bills and spare change now because the classes who “bring in the most green” will receive a party for all their hard work. Checks and larger donations are, of course, warmly accepted.

• Love Your Mother: April 22nd is Earth Day, which means most of us will make an extra effort to reduce, reuse and recycle. Here at Webster, we’re going to give a shout out to Mother Earth by collecting your recyclables and making money for our school! So, be sure to set aside your bottles and cans, mark April 22nd on your calendar, and bring in your stash so we can turn it into cash!

• Step on It!: If have ever wanted to do the handprint in the cement thing in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theater, have we got the event for you! We will be making Stepping Stones for our student garden on March 20th in the garden, right after school. For just $15.00, we’ll give you all the elements to create your own work of art. You can add your child’s name, the date, and even a little bit of colorful bling to make your mark right here at Webster school.

• Flip Out: Do you love nothing more than a short stack on a Saturday morning? Well, we’ve got good news for you! We will be holding the First Annual Webster Pancake Breakfast and Mother’s Day Boutique on May 3, 2009. Tickets will be available for pre-sale through your child’s classroom. If you have products or handmade items you would like to sell, boutique booths will be available for $25.00. We are also looking for expert pancake flippers to help us cook and serve breakfast. If you’re interested in volunteering or have items to sell at the boutique, please contact Emilline Nice at emillinenice@yahoo.com

•Paper Drive: Well, it seems like our annual paper drive got a little lost in the shuffle. We are still in need of copy paper and basic supplies like facial tissue and antibacterial wipes for our classrooms. Look, we know how hard it is to make an extra trip to the office supply store, so we’re going to take all the stress out of the supply drive. Next time you’re out and about, pick up a ream or a case of paper and bring it into the office. Then, check the giving tree before you go to see if there is anything else your child’s teacher needs…see? Easy!

How Does Our Garden Grow?

With your help, of course! And, have you noticed how beautiful our student garden is looking these days? There is new arbor in front, a beautiful birdbath, climbing roses and lots of new plants, courtesy of Armstrong Garden Centers and the Durston family. Thank you for your generosity!

Here’s Something to Smile About

American Dental and Medical Institute is giving 10% to Webster School! Come in any time during 2009 and receive free X-rays and a free exam.10% of all other procedures and subsequent exams will be donated to our school. Call to schedule an appointment. 626-345-0005

•American Dental and Medical Institute (A private dental office) 988 E. Washington Blvd. Pasadena, CA 91104

Room Parent News Room parent meetings will be held on the 3rd Friday of every month at 8:00am. Don’t miss out! We’ve got loads of information to pass on, along with opportunities to support your teachers and help out with school events. Questions? Please contact Maggie Brandow at maggiebrandow@yahoo.com

Bring in those Box Tops… Keep baking those cinnamon rolls, munching those Cheerios and packing those fruit snacks for lunch…Box Tops are due on February 27th! Questions? Contact Carrie Dillard at astropad@aol.com

Volunteer Hours If you have spent any time helping your child’s teacher in any way-even by bringing treats to the Valentine’s party- we want to know! Remember, even the time you spend shopping for supplies or making copies outside of school counts-so please record your hours in the binder in the office, or email them to Sharon Dinniene: ksmdinniene@dslextreme.com

Bring in your sheaves…of paper, that is!

It’s time for the annual
Webster Paper Drive!
January 12th-18th
Please donate: copy paper, facial tissue, paper towels
70-page spiral notebooks, wipes, paper plates, paper napkins…

So, exactly what can I bring in?
-Our teachers need basic supplies like copy paper for homework packets, facial tissues for cold and flu season, antibacterial wipes, paper plates and napkins and paper towels.

-You can bring one box of tissue, or a jumbo pack.  You can bring in one ream of copy paper or an entire case. You can bring in multiple packs of notebooks or just one.
- If you don’t want to shop, you can donate money to be earmarked for copy paper.

And, how will it be collected?
-You can leave paper in designated drop-off zones in the Parent Center and Office.
-There will be volunteers collecting paper in the parking lot each morning that week.
- Cash or checks (payable to “Webster PTA”) can be put in an envelope marked: “Copy Paper Donation” [with your name and phone number – optional].  Monetary donations can be turned into the office, to your child’s teacher, or to the volunteers collecting paper.

Ok, so why do we need it?
-Teachers need it for homework and class assignments.  For an entire school year, our teachers only get two cases of paper if they have 20 students or less and three cases of paper if they have more than 20 students.  It’s never enough!
-Teachers often buy Facial Tissue, notebooks and other necessary items with their own money.
- The office needs paper for the principal’s newsletter, etc.
-The PTA needs paper for newsletters, school calendars, flyers, etc.

And if  you know an organization/business that might be willing to donate…It doesn’t hurt tosk!