Washington-Hoyt Elementary School PTA(253) 571-5700

5th Grade Camp takes place every year in the fall. Students go to Camp Seymour, typically leaving on Wednesday and returning on Friday. Parents help out with fundraisers to help reduce the overall cost for the students and teachers.

Jeannie Hughes is the 2012-2013 chairperson for 5th grade camp.

Academic Enrichment

We have several Academic Enrichment assemblies that are paid for from the PTA fundraising. It is always an exciting list of performers and educators! Parents are welcome to attend the assemblies!Jeannie Hughes is the Academic Enrichment PTA Chairperson. Email Jean.

The Academic Triathlon is the biggest fundraiser of the year. The Triathlon is the sole funding source for our Academic Enrichment Assemblies. The $7,000 collected last year pays for this year’s assemblies.

These assemblies bring music, science, writing, performing arts and other cultures into the school. Our students experience some great performances and perspectives not possible in the classroom.

How does the Academic Triathlon work?
On March 16th, all Washington-Hoyt students will walk for 20 minutes, read for 20 minutes and solve math problems for 20 minutes.

Sponsors pledge one amount for their student’s participation in all three activities. For the safety of our children we recommend that they ask relatives, close friends and neighbors. All donations are gladly accepted, and are 100% tax deductible. We’ll even take pennies, nickels, and dimes (and, of course, tens, twenties, etc...).

Alternatively, you may make donations online by clicking the Donate button below!

(Tip: Before clicking on the final ‘Donate..Now’ button, be sure to click on ‘Add Special Instructions to Seller’ and enter in the student’s name and their teacher’s last name so they can get credit for your donation.)

A prize?
Great academic enrichment assemblies!! And the student who raises the most money in each grade level earns a limousine ride with Dr. Knight and Miss Peggy to pizza lunch.

Please support our students by collecting pledges and bringing the money and pledge sheet to the school on Friday, March 11th. Additional pledge sheets are available in the PTA information box across from the office.

Thank you for helping make Washington-Hoyt a great place for our children!
Chairperson: Dannette Helm

WHAM!
WHAM is a year-long program that's a fun and exciting way for children to learn and apply the techniques of famous Modern Artists. This paid program, takes place in the Art Room in the basement and is open to all grades Kindergarten through 5th Grade. Classes for the Fall 2011 will start in October.

WHAM Website
http://www.wahoytwham.org/WaHoyt_WHAM/WHAM.html

http://www.wahoytwham.org/WaHoyt_WHAM/WHAM.html

If you have any ideas or interest, please contact the After School Art Chairperson

Paul Blanchard Email
WHAM coordinator  759-9669
http://www.wahoytwham.org/WaHoyt_WHAM/WHAM.html
Tues/Wed: 3:30-5:30pm
Washington North Basement

This social event / open house held at the school is usually held at Washington-Hoyt at the end of September. We usually have a dinner, book fair, bake sale, sweatshirt sales and fall fundraiser kickoff.

Chairperson responsibilities include securing a caterer, taking dinner reservations and distributing tickets. Volunteers are needed for serving, set-up and clean-up.

If you have any questions about Back-To-School night or would like to volunteer, please contact Danielle Schneider at (253) 383-8345, Carey Hawkins or Stacey Green.

Washington-Hoyt's Birthday Book Club offers a special way to recognize a child's birthday and at the same time benefit our school. You can honor your child for his or her birthday with a book donation to our library. Students who contribute to the Birthday Book Club are invited to select a library book of their choice from a wide variety of new books we have on reserve for this purpose. A commemorative book plate displaying the child's name and birthday will be affixed to the book, which is then presented to the child during his/her library time. Please know that your child does not have to wait until his/her birthday to join the Birthday Book Club. You can purchase a book anytime during the school year. Once the book has been added to the library's permanent collection, the student will be the first to check it out. The student's picture will be hung during the school year on the BIRTHDAY BOOK CLUB donor board in the Library.

For the Birthday Book Club form, go to our Forms page.

For more information about the program, please contact our Librarian:
Diane Burkhart-Kiss 253.571.5701

Book Fair

Held each year in the fall and spring during Back-to-School Night and Celebration of Learning events respectively. The fairs generally run 4-5 days during lunch and after school. The book fairs enable students and the community to purchase good quality books (Scholastic) at reasonable prices. The PTA earns points and discounts which enable us to purchase books for the year-end Cat Tracks prizes.

Chairperson responsibilities include promoting the fair and scheduling volunteers. Volunteers are needed to assist with set-up, take down and help students with purchases.

If you'd like more information about the Book Fairs, please contact the Chairperson:
Shannon Rojecki at 253.761.2010 or Email

BOX TOPS FUNDRAISER!!
Box Tops is such an easy and free way for our school to raise money for PTA supported activities during the year. Take a look around your pantry for products you may have purchased that have the Box Tops symbol on top, cut it out, put them in a ziplock baggie and send them in to your teacher by the last Friday of the month!

Trimming Box Tops
Did you know that when you cut out the Box Tops they must be cut on the dashed line? The picture itself is not considered a complete Box Top and if the excess beyond the dashed line is not cut off, volunteer parents will spend hours (yes, hours!) trimming them.

www.boxtops4education.com

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Box Tops Marketplace
There is also another way to support our school with the Box Tops Program and that is to sign up for the Box Tops Marketplace by registering at btfe.com. When shopping online you simply go to the Box Tops for Education home page and click on the "Marketplace" tab. Our school automatically earns up to 8% of your total purchase.

Save time by shopping online and earn cash for our school with the Box Tops for Education Marketplace:

1. Join Box Tops Booster Club - So simple to join and so rewarding to be a member, the Box Tops Booster Club offers you the exclusive benefit of shopping online at the Box Tops Marketplace.
2. Shop Online at Box Tops Marketplace - Make purchases through merchants found in the Box Tops Marketplace. Choose from over 200 favorite online stores including JCPenny and Lands' End.
3. Our School Earns Cash - Our school automatically receives up to 8% of your qualifying purchase. Our school can earn up to $20,000 per year.

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The Box Tops Chairperson collects and turn in Box Tops. It requires coming to the school collecting the Box Tops, sending in the collection, and communication with the PTA about the fundraising.

The Box Tops Chairperson responsibilities include program promotion via notices and information sent home, student incentives and submission to General Mills. Room parent(s) will count and forward box tops to the chairperson. Students and families collect box tops form General Mills foods and cereals. The box tops are redeemable to our school as a cash rebate.

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If you have any questions, please contact the Box Tops coordinator: Jennifer Drum

The Cake Walk, when we have them, is a fun event where parent's donate cakes and we all have a great time trying to win them and raise funds for the PTA.

Cake Walk Chairperson:
Miss Peggy 253.759.6259 Email

This incentive read-at-home program is very popular with the students and helps to establish a positive attitude toward reading. A majority of the students participate each year. Program runs October through May.

This PTA sponsored program encourages all students to read for a minimum of 15 minutes a day for at least 25 days out of each month. Students will receive a Cat Tracks calendar each month from their teacher. Please mark off one day or block as the child completes a reading session. Remember, only one box per day may be marked off even if the reading time exceeds 15 minutes. After completing the required number of reading days in a month, send the completed calendar by the due date and the student will receive a Cat Track incentive prize! The calendar MUST be signed for it to be valid. New Cat Track calendars will be issued each month.

Chairperson is responsible for preparing the monthly check-off calendar, ordering and distributing monthly prizes.

If you have any questions about the Cat Tracks Reading Program, please contact the Chairperson
Ellen Sherman at 253.473.5846 or Email

Deb Lewlleyn at 253.752.1494 or Email

The Celebration of Learning is a school and PTA joint event put on at the end of the school year in the evening to showcase all of the fabulous projects the kids have been working on. It is an Open House where you can walk through the kids classrooms and typically the PTA will also sponsor an ice cream social in the cafeteria! Don't miss out on this great event! If you'd like to help with the planning or volunteer during the evening contact

Coordinators: Carey Hawkins and Stacey Green

Washington-Hoyt is one of the Tacoma schools that provide on-site, before and after-school care. The program is called Champions and is operated by Medallion School Partnerships. Care is provided in the gymnasium at Hoyt and is available from 6:30 AM until school starts, and after school, from dismissal time until 6 PM.

Join the fun!
Champions!
For today's busy parents, finding a safe, enriching environment where children can spend time before or after school is a big concern. At Champions we understand your needs and offer convenient and sensible options right at your neighborhood school. Champions delivers a variety of fun, flexible and learning-focused programs in your district.

For more information, please call the Champions Phone Number at 253.759.0710
www.klcschoolpartnerships.com

Washington-Hoyt "takes over" the lanes of Chalet Bowl for a fun bowling experience. Chalet Bowl very generously donates a percentage of the proceeds make during the takeovers to the Washington-Hoyt PTA.

Chalet Bowl Website: http://chaletbowl.com/

We are currently looking for a volunteer to be the Chairperson of this event.

Go to the Washington-Hoyt Chess Club page

Students who want to play chess or learn about chess is invited to join the club. We will have beginner groups who are just starting to learn the game, as well as more advanced groups working on improving strategy and anything in between including learning to use clocks for timed games and how to record games. Open to grades K-5.

Interested students and parents are invited to attend an information session Wednesday, November 2 from 3:45-4:30 in the cafeteria. No advance registration is required, but please accompany your child to this first session or call Karen Dinicola at 759-8098. The students will be paired up to play each other while parents discuss and decide on options for chess instruction and tournament plans this year. The agenda for the parent meeting can be downloaded here

Go to the Children's Theater at Washington-Hoyt page

Washington-Hoyt offers two after school theater classes during the school year.

Committee Chairs:
Alison Hoseth 253.761.9730
Mrs. O'Morlen 253.571.5700

CLOTHES CLOSET

The clothes closet provides clothing for kids while at school. We provide jackets, hats, gloves in case they forget theirs and we provide underwear, socks, shirts, and pants in case their clothes become dirty or soiled during the day. Donations are gladly accepted but we ask that you please provide items that are gently used (no holes or stains) and that items are freshly laundered. The school does not have a way to wash donated items so it is important they come to school clean. We can always use donations of jeans in any size (5T – 16) and WA-Hoyt sweatshirts or sweatshirts in uniform colors. Also jackets are in high demand. Thank you!

Chairperson: Lisa Gainey 253-473-9206

Cougar Cards (formerly known as Scrip cards) are the EASIEST FUNDRAISER EVER!

Picture this: You can make your usual weekly visits to the grocery store, gas station, book store, coffee shop, and many more retailers and make money for Washington-Hoyt at the same time! How is this possible? Welcome to the COUGAR CARDS fundraising concept. Our PTA purchases gift cards, or COUGAR CARDS, from popular retailers and grocery stores at a discount. WA-Hoyt families then buy the gift cards from the PTA at face value. The difference in price is kept by the PTA. This difference is listed as a percentage next to each retailer on the order form. Families can then spend (or give as gifts) the COUGAR CARDS at the retailer where it is worth face value. You haven’t spent an extra dime and you’ve made money to help our school!

Last year COUGAR CARDS made over $6,500.00 to contribute to great programs at our school!

COUGAR CARDS order forms will come home with your child one or two Fridays a month in their “Friday Folders”. Please return the completed order form on the following Monday to your child’s teacher, with a check made out to “WA-Hoyt PTA”. The COUGAR CARDS will be delivered to your child on Friday. It is very important to indicate on your order form who is allowed to pick up your COUGAR CARDS order. Because the gift cards are the equivalent of cash, we will only release the cards to persons indicated by you.

Go to the Cougar Cards web page

Every October all students are provided with the Washington-Hoyt Cougar Phone Directory for the school year. The Directory includes a complete listing of all the classrooms, teachers, and students and their contact information.

Phone Directory Chairperson: Gerrit Nyland

The goal of Disaster Preparedness is to ensure that all the backpacks for the classrooms are updated with the items needed in case of an emergency.

In the past Wa-Hoyt has used the Entertainment Book program for fundraising. Just $30, what a deal! Support Wa-Hoyt PTA and save up to 50% on Family Fun!

Contact the PTA if you are interested in working on this fundraiser.

Preparations are underway for our third annual Evening of the Arts. This showcase and auction of student art is not to be missed! Contact Sara Sledge with questions. Save the date for February 22, 2013.

Congratulations to our past winners!

Paul and Megan Blanchard 2009-2011
Felicity Devlin 2010-2011
Kathy Spurrell 2011-2012

Thank you for everything you've done!

 
Golden Acorn Award
We all know that our school wouldn’t survive without the hours and hours of hard work by our many volunteers and dedicated educators. Now you have a chance to let those extra special ones know you’ve noticed all they’ve done. If you know of a volunteer and/or an educator who has consistently gone the extra mile for our school and community, be sure to nominate them for the Golden Acorn Award. This extraordinary award only comes along once a year, and the nomination form is your opportunity to shine a light on a deserving person. The benefit of presenting a Golden Acorn Award is two-fold. First, it recognizes an individual who has given outstanding service to children. Secondly, it supports financial grants for students pursuing post-secondary education. Donations are made in each recipient’s name to the fund, which in turn contributes to the future of youth by awarding grants to students who are freshmen entering post secondary education.
We would like you to participate in the selection of our award recipient(s) through your recommendation.
The Golden Acorn Award Committee will make the final selection.

Questions? Contact: Heather Urschel or Cindy Harkness @ 571-5744

Reduce :: Reuse :: Recycle

Go to the Green Schools at Washington-Hoyt page

The Green Schools committee meets every few weeks to work on our school's efforts to become green. Last year, we worked with staff and students to boost classroom and office recycling, reduce school waste, start the milk carton recycling program, and organize a neighborhood litter pick-up.

The Green Schools Program helps a school implement effective practices to expand conservation efforts and improve the quality of the environment. The program focus on reducing solid waste, cutting energy use, decreasing water use, and improving the outdoor environment through such measures as litter pick-ups and reduced use of pesticides. Besides conserving precious resources, a Green Schools program can help school districts cut costs. And because students are instrumental in running the programs, they provide great opportunities for hands-on learning.

If you have any question or would like to help out please contact the Chairperson:
Jennifer Drum
Felicity Devlin at 253.761.8066 or Email

NEW! In Touch With Art Blog! Take a look!
http://wahoytart.wordpress.com/

Sign up sheets to be an In Touch With Art docent will be available in your classroom on Back to School Night. Or you can just let your teacher know you are interested. (You can either sign up to be a lead, or just offer to help with projects periodically!)

In Touch With Art is a program that enhances art curriculum. It is meant to stimulate interest and educate students about classics of the art world. Parent volunteers research and present an art lesson exposing students to basic art principles and art history by allowing children to experiment with new materials. The goal is to bring one lesson per month to each classroom and supplement a very minimal district curriculum. Students projects are displayed through the year.

"Art Docents" (parent volunteers) are needed in each classroom, to volunteer or find out more about this program, please contact the In Touch With Art Chairperson Sara Sledge at 253.761.5174 or Email

The Junior Daffodil Parade is fun for the family, the PTA funds our entry fee and the gear to help celebrate the theme of the year! This year's Junior Daffodil Parade takes place on Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 10am.

We have a spot in the parade! Typically our group will meet at the beginning of the parade and will walk the parade with our very own Miss Peggy. Please complete the form and return them to school asap.

Chairperson:
Miss Peggy 253.759.6259 or Email

PTA-Sponsored Before/After School Language Programs

Spanish Class coordinator/teacher Karen Dinicola (Teacher Jessica Orr (253) 720-6345 or email jorr20@gmail.com)
French Class coordinator/teacher Yvonne Beardemphl

Check the wahoyt.org home page for the latest information on language classes.

Responsibilities include researching issues, particularly at the state level, that relate to the concerns of the PTA for the children. Report to the PTA Board of Directors and coordinate actions determined appropriate. Keep members informed on issues and legislation that affect children Experience is not needed; only enthusiasm and interest. WSPTA offers training. The PTA will pay for attendance at the WSPTA Legislative Convention in the fall.

Chairperson: Jessica Upton

All fifth graders with an interest in math are invited to join the math team and compete in the Washington State Math Olympiad.  We will practice once a week until the competition which will be held on May 4, 2013.  The competition covers the subject areas of number sense, measurement, geometric sense, probability and statistics, and algebraic sense.  More information on the Math Olympiad can be found at http://www.wsmc.net/olympiad/

We will practice after school in Ms. Barabe’s classroom on Thursdays from 3:30 to 4:30.  The first practice will be February 7.  The cost is $10 per student.

If you would like to join the math team or have any questions about the program, please send an email to debra@nventure.com or call me at (206) 280-3056.

- Debra Meyerson  (math team coach)

Job Description: Responsibilities of the Membership Chairperson include promoting, enrolling and building an informed membership in the PTA. Provide opportunity for new member sign up at Back-to-School night, collecting fees and disbursing accordingly with assistance of the Treasurer. The membership drive begins at the start of school. The job is mostly an at home job. The second person responsible will do some inputting and printing of cards, and sending in payment. This job is busy at the beginning of the year and tapers off.

Sign up or Renew your PTA Membership today!

If you'd like more information please contact the Membership Chair: Shannon Podgorski

This committee is elected at a general membership meeting before March 31st according to the State PTA Guidelines. This committee is elected to give the membership the choice of who it believes is best qualified to recommend as the future leaders of the PTA. Election to this committee is a very high honor. The committee's task is to recognize, recruit and nominate the best-qualified candidates for each elected position. A committee member may be a nominee for office.

* We are currently in need of a chairperson for this position.

Every year the PTA sponsors a "takeover" at the RAM Restaurant. The PTA gets a profit from the sales for the entire day at that store, so consider having lunch or getting take-out. The most fun though, is to join us in person between 4-9 pm when we literally take over the restaurant!

Chairperson Deb Llewellyn at 253.752.1494 or Email

Read Across America Day is when we celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday! Dr. Seuss epitomizes a love of children and learning. Also, his use of rhyme makes his books an effective tool for teaching young children the basic skills they need to be successful. When we celebrate Dr. Seuss and reading, we send a clear message to America's children that reading is fun and important.

At Washington-Hoyt the PTA funds "The Cat in the Hat" visits to the classrooms with treats for everyone!

Read Across America is on March 2nd.

For a fun Dr. Seuss Read and Color Word Search click here

If you have any questions or are interested in volunteering for this program, please contact the Chairperson:
Miss Peggy 253.759.6259 or Email

Room Parents assist in planning class parties under the direction of the teacher and assist with special needs as required by the teacher. Other responsibilities may include assistance with food drive donations, tabulate classroom General Mills Box Tops donations and monthly book orders and help with other functions throughout the year with guidance from the teacher.

Two room parents are needed for each classroom.

Click here for the Room Parent Orientation Booklet

As the "Queen of Safety" here at Washington-Hoyt, Miss Peggy is available for parents to bring their safety concerns to her and she gets the words out to help keep it safe on the streets.

Please don't forget about the safety of the children. Slow down enough to drop the kids off a block from school and let them walk a little way to class. Miss Peggy is always there to see that they cross the street safely.

Sometimes there is such a huge crowd of cars stopping in the street in front of the school that it is actually dangerous to drop them off there. Please take care to pull over to the curb before letting your child leave the car.

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If you have any questions or concerns, contact our very own Safety Chairperson:
Miss Peggy 253.759.6259 or Email

Washington-Hoyt will not be participating in a Sally Foster Fundraiser for the 2012-2013 School Year.

Family Fun! The Washington-Hoyt Sock Hop is our annual spring dance celebrating the styles and music of the "Sock Hop" age! A local DJ brings all the necessities for a fun family night! Each ticket is good for some pizza, pop, ONE ticket for a door prize drawing, and a night of GREAT MUSIC by a lively DJ and dancing fun! The sock hop will take place Friday evening, March 15, 2013 starting at 6pm.

Call Laurie Hunger 627-4582 for more information or to volunteer your help!

Chairperson responsibilities include promotion, planning dinner, reservations and tickets, set-up, clean-up and decorations etc.

If you are interested in volunteering for this event, please contact Laurie Hunger at 253.627.4582 or Email.

Family Skate Night

For a fun community building event, Washington-Hoyt holds Family Skate Night several times during the school year.

March 1, 2013 from 6-8 PM at Rolling 253! Don't miss out!

Skate Nights are held at Rolling 253 at 2101 Mildred Street in Fircrest and is reserved just for our school.


Students should be accompanied by a parent or chaperone. Parents who are not skating do not have to pay Admission. Parents may walk out on the floor to assist beginning skaters. You may bring your own skates and not be charged Skate Rental (wheels are checked at the door). You may bring and wear your own helmet.

Contact Megan Boly at (253) 678-5782 if you have any questions or would like to help out with this event!

Go to the Washington-Hoyt Student Council page

ASB Teacher Supervisors:
Mrs. Toni Norling (253) 571-5718
Mrs. Michele Pedee

The Sunshine Committee provides encouragement to the school's staff by acknowledging school events and holidays with a small card or gift, hosting a monthly birthday celebration for staff members, and providing cards and support to staff or PTA members who have had recent births, family deaths, retirements and other life events.

If you have any questions about this committee,
please contact one of the Sunshine Committee Chairpersons:

Ellen Sherman 253.473.5846 or Email

SHOOL SWEATSHIRTS 2012-2013 SCHOOL YEAR
Show your school spirit with Washington-Hoyt sweatshirts and apparel! School logo polo shirts, fleece vests, t-shirts and more are available in navy and red. The next Washington-Hoyt PTA Sweatshirt & Apparel sale will run from October 12 thru October 26th, 2012. Check www.wahoyt.org beginning October 12th for online order instructions. Note that orders placed in September will be delivered to the school during the first two weeks of October. If you have questions, please contact Kelly Devlin at info@kellydevlin.com.
This is not intended as a fundraiser, however a small profit may incur. Sweatshirts are included as uniform components when worn with a collared shirt. All sales are final, unfortunately we cannot do refunds or exchanges.
Please note: 1/4 zip and denim shirts are available for adults only and CANNOT be worn by students as part of the school uniform. Shirt sizes tend to run small, so if in doubt, order big, because all sales are final, no exceptions, no refunds.  If you have any other questions, please contact the Chairperson: Kelly Devlin Email 752-4880

Annual Washington-Hoyt Family Night
with the Tacoma Rainier’s!

Mark your calendar for the 1:30PM game on Sunday, April 14, 2013!!

Coordinator: Rosie Martinson (253) 341-0787

The PTA puts on a lovely brunch usually Friday morning of Teacher Appreciation Week. The brunch is held in the school library. Parents may volunteer to "decorate a table" for this event and to bring food and drink items.

The chairperson is responsible for organizing volunteers to prepare and serve an early morning breakfast for the staff in our appreciation of their dedication.

If you'd like to volunteer or learn more about this even, please contact Shannon Rojecki at 253.761.2010 or Email.

International Walk to School Day promotes safe walking and biking throughout the year.  Communities are using the International Walk to School as a step to change community culture and create environments that are more inviting for everyone. 
Some reasons to support Walk to School Day:
 
·        To enhance the health of kids
·        To improve air quality and the environment
·        To create safer routes for walking and biking
 
Washington-Hoyt will be participating in the annual 2010 International Walk to School event on Wednesday, October 5th , 2011 with the support of our Proctor community and MultiCare Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital.  Meet us at the Safeway parking lot on North 25th and Proctor and Miss Peggy will lead us to Washington to enjoy donut holes, coffee, and juice on the playground before school begins.   The kids love participating in this, so bundle up and we will see you there!
 
We need volunteers the morning of the 5th of October to help set up and clean up. Please let Debbie Woodward 503-7441 know if you can be available to show up a little early or stay a little later to lend a hand to help make this event great! Thanks!

International Walk to School Website
http://www.walktoschool.org/getstarted/index.cfm

If you have any questions about the program or would like to volunteer for it, please contact the Chairperson:
Debbie Woodard 253-503-7441

The PTA Website wahoyt.org and the Cougar News e-bulletin are the PTA and school's electronic means of communicating with parents. Please email all submissions, suggestions for both the Cougar News e-bulletin and the WaHoyt PTA website to Megan Boly (that's me!) at webmaster@wahoyt.org or call (253) 678-5782. I'd love to get your input and feedback! Thanks!

If you would like to send a Connect-Ed phone message out, contact Pam Leach in the front office.

If you would like something posted on the PTA Facebook page, contact Catherine Feeney.