August 2008 - the Parklander

SCHOOL NEWS
Westglades
Middle SchoolUpdate
By Margot Lazar
As the 2008 – 2009 school year approaches, the WOLVES are
ready!!!
The school year kicks off with many events for parents and students
alike. The Open House is scheduled for Saturday, August 16, from 9
a.m. – 2 p.m. in the school cafeteria. Attendees will be able to get their
class schedules and obtain bus schedule information as well as join the
PTA. They can also purchase school supplies and yearbooks and get
all the information they need for a successful school year.
Parents and students can log on to the Westglades Website, which
provides all the information needed to start the school year off right:
www.Westgladesmiddle.com. Additionally, throughout the year, this
website provides the contact information and schedules of ongoing
events at the school.
Riverglades
Elementary Update
by Mona Steinberg
It’s time for students to power down the Xbox, turn off the TV, read
more books, and start shopping for backpacks and school supplies.
The first day of school will be here before you know it, on Monday,
August 18. To orient students (both new and returning) to their new
teachers and classrooms, an Open House will be held on August 15.
Open House will be held in two sessions. Students with last names
beginning with the letters A-M should arrive between 9-10 a.m.;
students with last names N-Z should arrive between 10-11 a.m.
Visit your students’ classrooms, and stop by the Cafeteria to purchase
agendas and prepackaged school supplies, order student directories,
join the PTA, and register your child for after-care. Angela Moses,
PTA Apparel Chairperson, will be on hand selling new short-sleeve
tee shirts with the Riverglades logo for the 2008-2009 school year,
lanyards, and water bottles, and taking orders for hooded jackets.
Parents are strongly encouraged to purchase apparel on the day of
Open House.
On the first day of school, August 18, Kindergarten parents are
invited to the Cafeteria for “Tears & Cheers” at 8 a.m. On that
momentous first day of school, Tears & Cheers will be a nice chance
for kindergarten parents to get acquainted and support each other,
meet members of the PTA Executive Board, and grab a light bite and
some coffee too.
The PTA will begin the new school year with its first fundraiser —
Sally Foster. Sales will kick off during the first week of school with
catalogs and information being distributed to the students. Sally
Foster delivers another great value with over 70 items (including
high-quality wrapping paper, unique gift items, and delicious
118 AUGUST 2008
Volunteering through the PTA is just one more way to stay involved
in your child’s Westglades experience. More information will be
available at the Open House and be on the lookout for information
about the upcoming Volunteer Breakfast this September.
Westglades’ Hassle-Free Fundraiser will kick off at the Open House.
For all those new to the school this is a one-time a year fundraiser that
the PTA conducts to support all of the outstanding programs for the
students that are beyond the traditional offerings. Forms are also
available in the school office and on-line. Everyone’s help is needed
and appreciated.
The banners that you see in the school car line will also be available for
purchase, so be sure to sign up. Current Banner sponsors are thrilled
with the success they have had from this recent addition to
Westglades.
Whether it is the PTA, SAC, SAF, volunteering in the offices or for
events and media activities – getting involved in Westglades is a
rewarding experience and a great way to be a part of your child’s
middle school experience. All parents are welcome and encouraged to
take an active role at Westglades Middle School.
chocolates) priced from $5 - $20. Delivery of all catalog items will be
Tuesday, October 7, in plenty of time for holiday gift giving!
PTA President Melissa Blank gives us a sneak peek at 2008-2009:
“The PTA has some new and exciting programs on the horizon,
such as Geography Night and Bingo Night. We will also be
participating in the American Cancer Society Walk that takes place
at Stoneman Douglas High School.” The Visiting Author Program
will consist of a very exciting line up: singer, songwriter, author, and
poet Eric Ode; Broward County students Julia and Emma
Goldman, and Ansley White, the founders of Kool Kids Care, who
have published a collection of eco-friendly short stories; and,
fabulous storyteller Sheila Arnold who will return to Riverglades for
our Family Reading Night.
If you are interested in volunteering to help out at any event, please
contact PTA President Melissa Blank at msb23@bellsouth.net. Plan
to attend the first PTA meetings of the school year. There will
be a Board meeting on Wednesday morning, August 27, at 9:15 a.m.
in the Cafeteria. The first General PTA meeting will be on
Wednesday evening, September 3 at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome
at both meetings, and your attendance and participation are
strongly encouraged.
All school volunteers need to register with Broward County Schools.
You can go directly to the website, www.getinvolvedineducation.com,
for the application, or access the website www.browardschools.com
and then click on the “Quick Link” to access the online
volunteer application.
And a friendly reminder…ALL new kindergartners, transfers, and
newcomers must have completed registrations before the first day of
school. Call ahead to the front office (754-322-8200) to make sure
you have all the right paperwork (such as proof of age and residency)
to process your registration.