PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE April, 2011

The King's Grant Elementary School Parent TeacherAssociation (PTA) is very thankful to have the sup- port and help of many parents. Proceeds from PTA Membership have supported various programs. 5 th Grade End of Year activities are being planned, please continue to check your students folders for End of Year information in the coming weeks.

Diane Jackson , PTA President 376-3672

diane_jackson@verizon.net

This has been an event filled month already at KGES for our PTA with the Meet and Greet, PTA Membership Drive, Summer Reading Celebration and various other volunteer duties. Summer seems a distant memory and the school year is in full force. Nothing drives that home more than the mounds of forms and papers that fill my children’s book bags.

As I was filling out the forms one night, my son called in from the front room…”Hey Mom don’t forget to do that one paper so we can get a pizza party.” Thinking I missed a paper, I inquired to what he meant. “You know that one where you pay $5 and I get to have pizza.” Oh, THAT ONE!!! “Don’t worry son, Mommy will send it in so your class can try to earn a pizza party.” He was happy, but I was left wondering how many other homes had the same conversation and to what extent the parents didn’t feel the same as the kids. You pay your $5 PTA dues, your child’s class might earn a pizza party and that’s it. WHAT DOES PTA DO??????

Well, besides the infamous Pizza Party our PTA plans a variety of events. Most of us are familiar with the Harvest Fest, Pizza Bingo Night, Holiday Dinner and Spring Dances, but what else does PTA do?
Below is a list of PTA Sponsored Activities:

• Awards three scholarships to former Kings Grant Alumni each year
• Accelerated Reading Program
• Lionizing Tags and Program
• Summer Reading Program
• Reflections Contest
• Sponsors the Fifth Grade End of Year Activities
• Perfect Attendance Program
• after School Enrichment Program
• Lynn haven River Keepers Program
• Gives over $7,000 each year directly to the classrooms and specialty areas to fund field trips, musical instruments, gym equipment, library books, art supplies, grade level programs, assemblies, DARE program, etc
• Publishes a School Directory
• Provides volunteers for SOL Testing, Room Assistants, Lunch room helpers, bus duty, and many other school requests.

The above is only a partial list of the many ways the Parent Teacher Association provides support directly to our home school and our students. We provide programs and activities that every child and family can participate in and benefit from. We are very fortunate to have an active PTA and support from the faculty, administration, community and most importantly our PARENTS. I invite and encourage everyone to please make your membership count. Become involved , join the PTA, volunteer when you can, and lets continue to make Kings Grant the best school in all of Virginia Beach!!!

Diane Jackson

PTA President

Diane_jackson@verizon.net

757-376-3672

Kings Grant Families:

Oh behalf of the PTA, I would like to welcome you to another amazing school year. Whether you are a new family to our school, or a seasoned alumnus, I am sure you will find that Kings Grant is an award winning school that is committed to your child's education. The PTA is proud of its partnership with the school and its dedication to our students, families and facility.

There are many wonderful programs that are offered throughout the school year for students and their families. I encourage each of you to be involved with the PTA. It's a great way to get to know the school, its staff, and its programs. There are many opportunities for you to volunteer. We have PTA meetings on the first Monday of every month at 6:00pm. All PTA members are invited to attend. Please visit our PTA website ( www.kgpta.org ) for all the up to date PTA information, activity schedules, meeting dates and minutes.

I am excited to work with and support our amazing teachers and support staffs, who continually strive for excellence and diversity in the classroom experience. I'd also like to thank our dedicated PTA Board Members, Committee Chairpersons, and all of the parents who spend their personal time in making a difference in our children's lives. I would welcome parents to contact me, or any member of the PTA Board to see how you can partner with us in making this year a success.

I am proud to be serving as your PTA President. Our children are our number one focus in all that we do. With your help we can continue to give them a wonderful, safe and invigorating learning environment. Please join with us throughout the year at our many different programs geared at giving our students an opportunity to learn and experience many new and exciting avenues.

Let's make the Journey Begin Here!

Diane Jackson

PTA President

Diane_jackson@verizon.net

757-376-3672

This month I'd like to focus on a topic very near and dear to my heart, the nutrition of our students. Last year, the KG PTA Board of Directors specifically adopted a goal to help improve lunch choices for the students of King's Grant. We are glad to report to you, our members, the following update from the cafeteria:

- Little Debbie's (brownies, donuts, cupcakes, etc.) are no longer offered as lunch snacks.

- The chips that are available for snack purchase are now BAKED, not fried.

- Drinks options: carbonated soda products are not an option, only beverages which contain 50% or more fruit juice.

- Cookies are made with whole wheat.

- Fresh baked rolls and buns are made with whole wheat.

The KG PTA supports these improvements implemented by administration. And we thank Mrs. George, cafeteria supervisor, and her great staff that work for better nutrition of our kids!

Our cafeteria is friend to the environment too! There is now a recycle bin in the kitchen, where they can recycle things like the large cans that canned fruits & veggies come in. No wonder why our school is a leader of recycled content amongst other elementary schools. Great job Super Lions!



Stacey Pilla, PTA President 

We've all heard about shrinking budgets, increasing class sizes, and government mandates on testing.  As parents, we have many concerns in supporting our students' best education, but it seems like each year it becomes more challenging.  Well good news, the PTA is here to help.  If you are not a member, please consider joining soon - it's not too late.  If you are already a member, I encourage you to attend a PTA meeting.  Join the community of parents who work so hard to support all students at King's Grant.

BE IN THE KNOW - at our monthly meetings, you can keep up with what's happing at school.  You'll hear what the administration is working on for continual student success.  Come find out what you can do to make a difference for your child, and make our school an even better place to learn

ACCESS GREAT RESOURCES  - although the main focus  is students,  the PTA is also here to help parents navigate through complicated issues we all have to face.  From childhood obesity to bullying, PTA members can log on to www.pta.org to find helpful solutions.  You can find a link there by visiting us at www.kgpta.org

MAKE CONNECTIONS - at a PTA meeting, you can network with others who share your concern for children and their education.

SHARE YOUR SKILL - Our PTA is a diverse group of parents and community members, each bringing something unique to our organization.  Please let us know YOUR interests, and we can find a spot for your to share your talent with our students.    From gardening to mentoring, and bookkeeping to bake sales the PTA needs your support.

SPEAK UP - Our meeting are a forum for exchanging ideas.  If you have suggestions for improvement,  here is your chance to be heard.  Trough PTA you can be more effective advocate for your child, and other students too.

BE A ROLE MODEL FOR YOUR CHILD - Your involvement at school shows your child how much you value their education.  And what a perfect opportunity to show by example how to give back to the community, for the betterment of kids!

Stacey Pilla, PTA President 

Happy 2010 to all the members of our King's Grant Family!  My New Year's message to you all is  "resolve to be involved!"  It's a new year, with new opportunities to improve our children's world.   Getting off to a strong start can make all the difference, so please join us at our next PTA meeting (Feb. 1)  to find out how you can help support our team.

As we begin the last semester of this school year, your child has already directly benefited from PTA sponsored programs during school.  We are so pleased to help fund programs, assemblies, and field trips.  But we also have many fun filled activities and events planned after school hours, and if you have not been to one of our events yet, please plan to bring your family for tons of fun!

Stacey Pilla, PTA President