2nd Quarter PTA Newsletter December 2010

Dear Families and Friends of Gowana,

Happy Holidays to all of the Gowana PTA members, their families, and the Gowana staff. This is a hectic time of
year and I hope that everyone is doing well. Along with school activities, there are many other family, sport,
church and club events that are happening. We realize that yours and your student’s time is valuable and hope
that you can support any PTA/school activities that you can.
Coming up this week is the Gowana Holiday Shop. This is an opportunity for your students to purchase holiday
gifts for their family member and friends at a very reasonable amount. Please remind your children that they can
bring in money for this and make purchases during their lunch hours.
We also have the Teacher/Staff Holiday Lunch coming up on Dec. 16th. This is a thank you to the teachers and
staff for all the hard work they have done so far this year. If anyone would like to volunteer to make a baked good,
salad, or soup, please contact Cheryl Bianconi at bianconi@verizon.net.
Thanks to all of you who have joined the Gowana PTA this year. Your contributions help fund child/school
advocacy at both the state and local levels. Christy Wightman and Donna McCrudden have done an outstanding
job coordinating the membership drive this year. Your children should have brought your membership cards home
to you in the last week or so. If you haven’t joined, it’s still not too late.
Many of the committees have been busy this fall. Articles follow in the newsletter, but I’d like to mention a few
things:
- The Arts in Education committee has been busy bringing in some great shows and activities for the students.
See their article in the newsletter for all they have been up to.

- The PTA Reflections program has wrapped up for the year and had some good participation. Thanks to Laura
Essa for heading it up at Gowana and also at the PTA Council level.

- Thanks to Marcie VanEpps for all her hard work on the Spirit Wear sale. There was a great selection of items to
purchase this year. If you missed it, look for another one in the spring.

After the holidays our next PTA meeting will be on Thursday, January 20 th , at 7 pm in the Gowana
library. Hope to see many of you there.
Our next PTA event for the students will be Movie Night on Friday, February 4th from 6:30 – 9:00 pm in the Gowana
auditorium. Look for more info on that as the time gets closer.
As a reminder, the PTA posts the newsletters, dates of events, contact information, and other updates on our
website. This can be accessed from the Gowana website homepage.

We want to wish all of you a happy, healthy, holiday season and best wishes for the New Year.

Denise Virkler, PTA President

It is hard to believe that one marking period is behind us and we are getting

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ready for the holiday season. Throughout the fall, Gowana students seem to have settled in to a routine; resulting
in a calm learning environment. Students have enjoyed many PTA and school related functions (i.e. Book Fair,
Pink Hair Day (fundraiser for breast cancer), 6th grade activity night, and 6th – 8th grade dance. We continue to
discuss our students’ Rights and Expectations highlighted by an inspirational speech given by Dr. Stephen
Birchak, College of St. Rose Professor. His message tied our tenets of Be Here, Be Safe, Be Responsible, and Set
Goals, to Character Education (i.e. bullying).

Nearly every Wednesday throughout the first semester, we hold Drop Everything and Read (D.E.A.R.) days. In an
effort to foster our students’ love of reading, students, teachers and all staff members are asked to drop everything
and read for 23 minutes at the start of the school day on Wednesdays. Your assistance in making sure that your
child has a book to read when they come to school on Wednesdays would be appreciated.

Besides the excitement of the hustle and bustle of the holidays in December, we also embark on the first concerts
of the school year. Gowana orchestra and band students will have an opportunity to shine in December, while our
choir students will perform in January. I look forward to seeing many of you at the upcoming concerts. All
concerts have been posted on the Parent Portal and the Gowana website.

Please continue to check our website as my secretary, Mrs. Sheila Ruby, and I are trying to update it regularly to
bring you the “happenings” here at Gowana. Messages from Gowana are posted periodically on the Parent Portal.
To access these messages, you must scroll down the page to get beyond the District messages before you can
view the Gowana messages. As always, I welcome your e-mails and calls for suggestions, concerns, and even
compliments.

If I do not see you sooner, Happy Holidays to you and your family.

Sincerely,
Robin Gawrys

ARTS–in-ED

Caroly Kay, Rythms & Visions of India and the Middle East, will be visiting our 6th grade Social Studies
Classrooms. Dec 1st - Dec 17th. Enables students and teachers to experience a deeper insight and appreciation
of the customs, history and philosophy of these traditional cultures as well as the expressive world of dance.

Teddy Roosevelt, Dec 9th & 10th. 8th graders will experience Paul Stillman from the Schenectady Children's
Theatre Great Mind Series, re-enact Teddy Roosevelt.

Saratoga County DA Jim Murphy, February 9th. Jim Murphy is the Saratoga County District Attorney. DA Murphy
will be presenting what should prove to be an impactful program for our 7th grade students regarding "sexting"
along with social networking websites and cyberbullying. He will help our kids understand the ramifications of
technology and life in cyberspace and the real life consequences and realities of their actions. DA Murphy will use
real life examples, including some from our own area to help our students understand the best way to protect
themselves and also how to use all of this technology safely.

I would encourage all Parents to ask their children questions about this very important program as well as there
will be a follow up piece from Jim Murphy regarding the presentations and helpful tips for Parents. Look for more
on the PTA website and future news letters.

Lori Bennett, Arts In Ed Committee Chair

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Hospitality
On Thursday, December 16th, PTA will be sponsoring the
annual Holiday Luncheon for the teachers and staff of
Gowana Middle School. The luncheon is a wonderful
opportunity to show your appreciation for our hard working
teachers and staff members.
We traditionally serve soups, chili, salad, and desserts. We
are in need of more volunteers to donate food items, create
some homemade soup and donate their time. If you would
like to assist us, please contact Cheryl Bianconi.
Bianconi@verizon.net ph: 877-8848
Book FairNews
We would like to thank the following
people for their help with the Fall
Scholastic Book Fair:
Holiday Shop
This year's Holiday Shop will be
December 8th , 9th & -10th , during all
lunch periods. The Holiday Shop is a
convenient and inexpensive for the
student's to do some holiday shopping for family
and friends. The students should plan to bring cash
only for these days and perhaps a list of special
people they wish to buy gifts for. Items range from
25 cents to $4 dollars. Wrapping service will be
provided the day of the holiday shop.
Please come and support this good cause.
All proceeds will go to Captain this year. If you have
any questions, please contact:
Denise Weaver
DWeaver1@nycap.rr.com.
Thank you very much for your
support.

Tracy Barcori, Suezen Brown, Amy Czirr, Denise DeWolf,

Paula Fisk, Amy Furbeck, Bridget Harrison, Donna Kinkaid,
Tammy Learn, Donna McCrudden, Allison Millington, Jane
Neidhart, Janine Pickett, Gia Ringler, Kate Satow, Idalia Dodge Ball Tournament
Sepulveda, Kathy Taubkin, Denise Virkler and anyone else
who helped if I left anyone out. The book fair was a success Our Second Annual Dodge
with a profit of over $500. It was a lot of work but it was Ball Tournament will be held
also a lot of fun working with you all. We hope to see you
again in the spring. on March 18th. Student Teams
joined by a teacher or parent will
Book Fair chairs compete in a round robin format.
Susan Bohling and Annette Stauber. So, put your team together.
Prizes will be awarded! It should
REFLECTIONS be a fun event the whole family will enjoy.
If you would like to volunteer or have any questions
Reflections is a cultural arts program of the about the event, please contact: Jay McGill at
National PTA which encourages students in grades K-12 to jmcgill@nycap.rr.com
express their thoughts and feelings through the creative
arts, with a new theme each year. This year the theme was
“Together We Can…” The Tri-Building Reflections Awards Honary Lifetime
Ceremony was held on November 16th The 1st, 2nd, & 3rd
place winners were sent to the Northeastern Regionals for Service Award
judging. Nominations
A BIG Thank You to all our Gowana Students who The purpose of this award is to recognize
participated and Congratulations to our winners! To see outstanding contributions to the welfare of children
who won each category, please visit our PTA website and and youth, or to a PTA association. If you know of
look under the Kudos Section for the Reflections Icon. If someone you would like to nominate for the award
you have any questions, or would like to chair this please turn in the Nomination Name with an
committee next year, contact Laura Essa at ph: 383-9169 accompanying reason for the nomination to Denise
or email: lessa@nycap.rr.com. Virkler at the Gowana Main Office by
December 20 th
Gowna Movie Night
Attention: ALL GRADES February 4 th will be Gowana Movie Night!!

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Volunteers are needed for this event. If you would like to take part in planning this event or
volunteer at the event You Are NEEDED! If interested, please contact:
Sandy West, Committee Chair, at swest335@aol.com or phone: 664-5605
UPCOMING HOLIDAY CONCERT DATES:
12/14/10
MS Gr 6-8Tribuilding Orchestra Concert
7pm at High School WEST
12/15/10
MS 7A/8A Band Concert 7pm at High School
WEST
12/16/10
MS 7B/8B Band and Grade 6 Band Concert
7pm at High School WEST
12/20/10
MS Jazz Concert – 7pm at Middle School Auditorium
1/11/11
Gowana Gr 6-8 Choir and HS Select Choir 7pm at
High School EAST
ATTENTION:
The Middle Schools’ First Locker
Cleanout will be on Thursday, December
23rd. Please have your student bring
home all gym clothes and any other
items that should not be left in lockers
over the holidays.
SAGE :Saturday Scholars 2011
Saturday Scholars is an enrichment
program for all Capital area
students in grades 1-8 presented by
Shenendehowa Advocates for
Gifted Education (SAGE).
Aeroscience, Lego Robotics, Math Fun 4 All, All the
World’s a Stage, Be a Journalist, One Stroke Painting,
Video Gaming, and the list goes on! SAGE Saturday
Scholars courses are designed for students of above
average ability and/or high motivation. But ALL Shen
Students are welcome participate just be prepared for a
fast moving, non-repetitive learning environment.
Registration: January 29, 2011 9:00am-10:30am in the
Shen Acadia Science Library (Snow date: February 2nd)
Schedule: Saturdays: March 5, 12, 19, 26, 2011 10:00am
to 12:00 noon (Snow date: April 3rd)
Tuition: $50 tuition fee. Some classes require an
additional materials fee to be collected at registration.
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Gowana PTA Membership
It is not too late to join the Gowana PTA!
We would like to reach the 300
member strong level,
and we are currently at 279.
Attached is a PTA membership form,
please fill it out and send it into the office
with your child today.
You will receive an updated membership
directory.
JOIN TODAY!!
Thank you for your support!
Donna McCrudden & Christy Wightman,
Membership chairs
Box Tops - Topics
Monthly ways to earn cash for the things our
school needs most—Please see the following
page for directions on how to earn $$ for our School!!
Sweeten the holidays with homemade cookies – and clip
4 box tops!
Here’s a receipe for: “Easy stained glass holiday cookies”
Ingredients:
1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® sugar cookie mix
1/3 cup Land O’Lakes® butter or margarine, melted
2 tablespoons Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
1 Land O’Lakes® egg
Betty Crocker® decorating gels
Directions:
1. Heat oven to 375°F. In medium bowl, stir cookie mix,
butter, egg and flour until dough forms.
2. Roll dough on floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick.
Cut with cookie cutters. Place 1-inch apart on ungreased
cookie sheet. Decorate unbaked cookies using gels.
3. Bake 7 to 9 minutes or until light golden brown around
edges. Cool 1 minute before removing from cookie sheet;
cool completely, about 20 minutes.
D.E.A.R.
(Drop Everything and Read)
Dear will take place every Wednesday until
January 6th. Don’t forget to bring something
Course brochure and registration forms will be to read.
available by January 1st
Please visit our website at
www.worknotes.com/ny/cliftonpark/sage

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 Box Tops - Topics
Monthly ways to earn cash for the things our school needs most, December 2010

A MESSAGE FROM GOWANA MIDDLE SCHOOL’S

COORDINATOR:
Idalia Sepulveda @ iisepulveda@yahoo.com
We need your help to reach our goal! Here’s how you can help in 3 easy steps!

1) Sign up on: boxtops4education.com. Make sure you’ve selected Gowana Middle School, ID # 575031.
2) Cut & forward “box tops” to your child’s teacher/class, and/or
3) Think of us as you shop on-line at www.btfe.com/marketplace this holiday season. There are over 150
popular retailers to choose from, who will in turn give eBoxTops to our school. Just click on a merchant and
eBoxTops will be donated directly to our school with your qualifying purchase. It’s an easy way to earn even
more for our school this season! Our school will receive a donation of up to 15% back on every qualifying
purchase. Here’s a list of some of the current vendors:

1–800–FLOWERS.COM Harry & David Patagonia

1–800–PETMEDS HearthSong PBteen
Aeropostale Hickory Farms Personal Creations
Apple Store Highlights Catalog PetSmart
Avon Home Decorators Piperlime
babygap.com homedepot.com Plow & Hearth
Banana Republic Hotels.com PotteryBarn
Barnes & Noble.com HP Home & Home Office PotteryBarn Kids
Store
Best Buy HSN Proflowers.com
Blair I See Me Personalized Books Ralph Lauren
Blooms Today Justice RedEnvelope
Boden Kangaroo Boo Sams Club
Brylane Home Kmart Sears.com
Cabela’s Kodak EasyShare Gallery Shoes.com
Chadwick’s Kohl’s Shutterfly
CHEFS The Land of Nod Smith & Hawken
Cooking.com Lands’ End Southwest Airlines
Vacations
Current Lands’ End Overstocks Staples.com
Dell Leap Frog Target
Discovery Channel Store Leaps and Bounds The Great Indoors
DisneyShopping.com Lillian Vernon The North Face
drugstore.com Magazines.com Terry’s Village
eBags Naturalizer ValueMags.com
Eddie Bauer New York & Company Victoria’s Secret
Expedia.com NORDSTROM VisionDirect.com
Finish Line Office Depot VistaPrint
Frontgate OfficeMax.com Wal-Mart
Frontgate Outlet OldNavy.com Williams Sonoma
FTD.com Omaha Steaks Woman Within
Gap.com One Step Ahead Zoobooks
GapKids.com Onlineshoes.com
GapMaternity.com Oriental Trading Co.
Overstock.com

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 Help Build Gowana PTA
Welcome from the Gowana PTA to all families of students entering grades 6-8 this fall!

The Gowana PTA works together with teachers, staff and administration toward common goals
and to address concerns for the education, safety and enrichment of all the students in our
school. Our children are our future. Working together, we can build a middle school experience
that is very positive, exciting and rewarding for all students.

With funds raised through PTA activities, we are able to bring curriculum enrichment programs
to each grade level, provide financial assistance for field trips, provide extras needed
throughout the school, and much more.

Your membership will help strengthen the foundation of the PTA! Please join now by
completing and returning the form below. Remember: If you have other children enrolled at the
elementary or high school levels in addition to children here at Gowana, it is necessary to join
each individual PTA in order to show your support.

Membership Chairs

Donna McCrudden: dmccrudd@nycap.rr.com

Christy Wightman: christyw3@yahoo.com

_________________________________________________________________________________

GOWANA PTA MEMBERSHIP

Your membership also entitles you to inclusion in and a copy of the Gowana Directory!
PARENT(S):____________________________ TELEPHONE: _______________________

ADDRESS: _____________________________ EMAIL ADDRESS:____________________

CHILD'S NAME:_________________________ TEACHER/HOMEROOM#_______________

Signature: __________________________________________________________________

Membership Fee: $5.00 person/$10.00 couple.

The information on this form will be published by the Gowana PTA for private use by its members only.

Would you like your information to be included in the Gowana Directory? ____yes ___no

PLEASE NOTE: Membership is a very individual thing. You can choose to support us with your membership fee alone. However,
you are most welcome, to also support us through the generous donation of your time, serving on one or more committees. If you
choose to do so, and return the "Call for Help" form, you will be contacted.

Please make checks payable to: Gowana PTA. Return this form to school with your child. Thank you for
your support!

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 Gowana PTA
Call for Help 2010-2011
The PTA offers many opportunities for you to get involved with your child’s school.
Please review this list of scheduled activities and indicate if you would like to help. For
further information about an activity, please feel free to contact Denise Virkler (PTA
President) 371-7302 / dvirkler@nycap.rr.com. We appreciate your help as we prepare
for another year’s activities.
_____________________________________________________________
Committee Date Time

Activity Nights
6th grade October 2010 Evening
All Grade Movie Night February 2010 Evening

Arts in Education Throughout the year Day

Book Fair
Fall October 2010 Day
Spring Spring 2011 Day/Evening

Dodge Ball Tournament March 2011 Evening

8th Grade Recognition June 2011 Evening

Gowana Holiday Shop December Day

Hoffman’s Car Wash Fundraiser Spring 2011 Day/Evening

Hospitality Ongoing As needed

Magazine Fundraiser September/October 2010 during Lunch

Reflections Program September thru November Evening

Scholarship April 2011 Day/Evening

School Pictures
Fall Sept and Nov. 2010 Day
Spring March 2011 Day

Spirit Sale Late fall Day

Shen Inventors Jan/Feb 2011 Day/Evening

_________________________________________________________________
(Send form to Gowana Middle School PTA c/o PTA President)

Name:________________________________Phone:________________________

E-mail Address:_______________________________________________________

Student’s Name: _______________________________ Grade: ________________

Committtee Interest: ________________________________________________

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