The Invention Convention is designed to promote your child’s problem-solving and creative-thinking skills. Your child will be following a step-by-step process (in the booklet) to invent a new product or develop a new method for doing something. As your child begins the actual process of inventing, your continued interest and encouragement will be helpful. Discuss the progress he or she is making and any problems that are encountered. Remind your child that although inventors often experience failure along the way, they remain persistent and keep trying and thinking of new ideas to solve a problem.

Projects are due at school on Tuesday March 27th . The kids will be interviewed on Wednesday, March 28th at Alisal. That evening (the 28th ) will be our hands on science night provided by Sandia Labs and all the inventions will be on display for our families to enjoy.

If you have any questions or are interested in volunteering please contact kristen@cadeans.com

The Invention Convention is designed to promote your child’s problem-solving and creative-thinking skills. Your child will be following a step-by-step process (in the booklet) to invent a new product or develop a new method for doing something. As your child begins the actual process of inventing, your continued interest and encouragement will be helpful. Discuss the progress he or she is making and any problems that are encountered. Remind your child that although inventors often experience failure along the way, they remain persistent and keep trying and thinking of new ideas to solve a problem.

Projects are due at school on Tuesday March 27th . The kids will be interviewed on Wednesday, March 28th at Alisal. That evening (the 28th ) will be our hands on science night provided by Sandia Labs and all the inventions will be on display for our families to enjoy.

If you have any questions or are interested in volunteering please contact kristen@cadeans.com

President: Mary Diligent
Secretary: Trina Spohr
Treasurer: Mark Naylor
Executive Vice-President: Lindsay Franco
VP of Ways and Means: Kim Martens
VP of Publicity: Jeff Dormer
VP of Membership: Denise Simmons
Financial Secretary: Che Zuniga
Auditor: OPEN
Historian: Kimi Cerniglia

Parliamentarian*: Katy Reilly (Position to be appointed by the President)

27 bottles of Premium Wines valued at approx. $750.

Tickets are $25 a piece with only 100 going to be sold!

Look before and after school this week at Alisal in the back and front of the school to purchase in advance. Winner will be drawn at the Crab Feed event March 3, 2003.

Need not be present to win. Winner notified that evening.

Look for announcements in the coming weeks about the auction catalog, the wine raffle, and more.

Welcome Back!  Hopefully your break was filled with joy and memories.  With the start of the New Year the PTA wanted to share with you our accomplishments so far and our goals for the remainder of the year.

Fundraising

This year PTA has seen several successful fundraisers.  Fundraising is crucial in these times of financial uncertainty as the PTA is asked to help shoulder some of the financial burden left by State Budget.  And, as always, the PTA strives to provide educational support and family events for the Alisal community.

Our Jog-a-Thon was an unbelievable success…a day of fun, exercise and determination, all while raising an unprecedented amount of money.  Additionally, the fall catalog fundraiser was a success, as well.  These events, while close together, made it possible for us to meet our financial goals for the first part of the school year.

Family Events

To date, our year has been busy with over 15 non-fundraising events, including Walk-Through Registration, Jog-A-Thon, Carnival, Book Fair, Read-n-Feed, a free movie night, Coffees and Pizzas with the Principal and the December Gift Shop.

Financial Support for Alisal

Because of the outstanding fundraising and generous donations of the Alisal community, the PTA has been able to lend significant financial support to the school in a number of areas:

• New equipment for the Science lab
• Educational materials for indoor PE lessons
• Securing an additional hour of Library and Computer Tech Services
• Providing significant funds to allow the Barton Reading Program to get up and running at the school

Looking Forward

All students will again benefit from grade specific PTA sponsored assemblies, as well as two whole school assemblies.  For parents, look for Sydney Shepperd, parent educator and specialized kinesiologist, to deliver her two hour “Brain Gym” class as a Spring Event.

The PTA was asked to partner with the school to help run an Emergency Preparedness event.  There will be a whole school assembly and school wide drills.  There will also be behind the scenes updating supplies and plans. Additionally, families will have the chance to be educated in disaster preparedness, as well as an opportunity to purchase emergency supply kits.

Upcoming Events

• March 3 – Crab Feed and Auction – This adult only night is a fun, casual event that not only raises a significant amount of money for our school, but lets parents connect and enjoy an evening out.
• March 28 – Invention Convention and Science Night
• Spring Book Fair
• Multi-Cultural Faire assembly
• Read Across America
• Bingo

We continue to work hard to make Alisal the best it can be.  We value your thoughts and opinions in how to make this happen.  Join us at the next Association meeting on January 11^th at 3pm in the library.

Sincerely yours,

Kristen Dean-President

and the Alisal PTA Executive Board 2011/2012