PTO Newsletter 05 12.indd - Forest Hills Public Schools

Forest Hills Northern Trails
PTO Press
June 2012
3777 Leonard Street, NE Grand Rapids, MI 49525 616-493-8990
FROM THE DESK OF THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Northern Trails Families and Friends,
Back to School Open House! *Save the Date*
Tuesday, Aug. 28th
5th Grade 4:30-5:30 p.m.
6th Grade 5:30-6:30 p.m.
I’m convinced that the older I get, the shorter each day feels! Our school year is almost finished and
it seems like only yesterday they were showing me new school supplies, new braces, or sharing stories
about their summer vacation. Our sixth grade class will certainly always hold a special place in my heart
as they are my pioneer class as a Principal.
It’s still true that I have the pleasure to work with some of the most amazing students, staff, and parents
on the planet. Every day is filled with signs of the amazing support from our PTO and parents. Our
parents are bar none the finest in the land and allow our school to prosper in so many ways. I’d like to
thank our PTO Board for all their work behind the scenes: Chris Hodgkins, President; Jennifer
Bowman, Vice-President; Craig Niemann, Treasurer; Charity Smith, Recording Secretary; Kate Gorski
and Dawn Almassian, 5th Grade Level Coordinators; Yvonne Lynn & Michelle Schellenberg, 6th Grade
Level Coordinators. Additionally, the office is appreciative of Shelley Vanderkolk and Sara Finton for
their volunteer hours and helpful hands. Finally, Mindy Lee worked behind the scenes with a host of
parent volunteers this Spring for the Kid’s Food Basket project which raised over $3,500 for children
right in our community.
Students continue to learn, excel, and thrive at Northern Trails. Success can be measured by a whole
range of tests, but success can also be measured through a walk-through visit of Northern Trails to see
the students engaged in their learning. The 5/6 experience is truly unique and carries with it a school
program that fits the pre-teen learning needs and allows for creative expression, physical activity, and
human development.
As we complete our final week of the school year, I would like to take this opportunity to say, “Thank
you” to the entire Husky Pack community. We as a “pack” here at school flourish because of our parent
support and the talented adults that work with your child(ren) each day. All of your hard work makes
Northern Trails an exciting place to learn and a thrilling place to teach!
Wishing each of you a safe and enjoyable summer! Remember to read, read, read!
Sue Gutierrez
Principal
Northern Trails 5/6

Northern Trails PTO Press, June 2012
Treasurer’s Report
June 2012
It’s hard to believe the year is nearly over. Through your generous support of the Cash Fundraiser at
the beginning of the year and several other fundraising events throughout the year, our PTO was able
to raise over $19,000 to support a multitude of programs and classroom enhancements. In
partnership with school administration, the PTO Board strives to be good stewards of your funds, and
all expenditures are taken very seriously. We hope you are pleased with the investments we have made
toward your children’s education for 2011-2012 school year. As a PTO Board, our primary goal is to
collaborate with the school and make sure that monies raised benefi t each grade level in the program,
and where we make enhancements to classrooms, we focus on purchasing items which can be used
for many years to come. Below is a breakdown of our funding sources and the primary areas we have
spent the money raised.
Some of our major expenditures this year have been:
• New netbooks and books for the media center
• $1,000 to support Teacher Mini-grant program. These items are high impact, low dollar
amount items to improve classroom instruction
• Technology enhancements for the reading and math support offi ce
• Teacher instructional allowance at the beginning of the year to support classroom set up

Northern Trails PTO Press, June 2012
Treasurer’s Report, continued
• Professional development opportunities for many teachers
• Cultural arts assemblies for the students
• Bussing to take students on field trips to the GRAM and Valentine’s Day bowling
• Print materials to support both the International Fair and Kid’s Food Basket fundraising
effort
• New balls and other playground materials
These are just a few of the items purchased to enhance our students’ learning experience at
Northern Trails. As always, if you have any questions or concerns about the PTO budget, please feel
free to call or email me.
Respectfully submitted,
Craig Niemann, PTO treasurer
craigniem@hughes.net or 957-3186
The Northern Trails PTO is seeking volunteers to fill the following positions:
Vice-President
Treasurer
5th Grade Coordinator
Committee Chairpersons for the following committees:
Spirit Wear
White Caps
Teacher/Staff Appreciation
Kids Food Basket
Trading Post
If you would like to volunteer or are interested in learning more, please contact
Chris Hodgkins at chris1dj@sbcglobal.net / 822-6575 or
Charity Smith at charity.a.smith@att.net / 272-4690.
Teacher Appreciation
Thanks to the following parents for providing food, drinks, and other
items for Teacher Appreciation Week:
Angela Johnson, Beth Chadwick, Carey Soda, Christa Barrett, Craig Niemann, Darcy Mullett,
Dawn Almassian, Dawn Shantz, Elizabeth Tsironis, Jennifer Conway, Kate Gorski, Laurel McCoy,
Lisa Garwood, Maryanne Katz, Melanie Brien, Michelle Addington, Mindy Lee, Ranju Sahi
Motwani, Robin Neeley, Tara Byrd, Tara Millar, Teresa Zomberg, & Tracy Lixey.

Dear International Fair Participants & Parents,
Northern Trails PTO Press, June 2012
On behalf of Northern Trails, we would like to thank you for time, effort and involvement in the
International Fair!!! Your generous support of this years event provided our students with a
fascinating adventure into the diverse and beautiful world we live in!!
Thanks again for your commitment to our 2012 International Fair. Its success was manifested
through your passion and commitment!!!
Warmly,
Susanne Jacobs & Maryanne Katz
Thank you to the following Committee
Chairpersons for the 2011-2012 School
Susanne Jacobs - Book Exchange
Jane Ashby, Sarah Hoekstra and Heidi Kramer - Book Fair
Chris Chomoa - Box Tops/No Brainers
Beth Hall and Amanda Meyers - Cultural Arts
Karen Goldman and Lina Kalyvas - Project Charlie
Sommar Hurt - Skating parties
Suzanne Jacobs & Maryanne Katz - International Fair
Suzanne Callahan - Junior Great Books
Heidi Kremer & Julie Greshak - School Store
Charity Smith - Teacher & Staff Appreciation
Chris Hodgkins - Whitecaps
Sarah Whitford - Directory
Tami Curtis & Amy Stevens - Lunch Bunch
Susanne Jacobs - Spirit Wear
Jamie McCollum - White Caps Outing
Dawn Almassian, Mindy Lee, & Jennifer Conway - Conference Dinners
Mindy Lee - Kids Food Basket
Thanks also to our PTO Board Members who are moving on to new schools, new
opportunities, or new cities.
Thanks for all you’ve done for Northern Trails!!!
Jennifer Bowman Craig Niemann
Yvonne Lynn Michelle Schellenberg

Some notes we’ve received...
dear nt pto -
thank you, thank you, thank you for spoiling us last week.
the food, flowers, gifts and notes were amazing. we
really did feel appreciated thanks to your efforts.
muchas gracias
5th grade si
anne carrillo, katie bonino, & ingrid fournier
Dear P.T.O.,
Thank you so much for all the wonderful things you did for us the week
of Teacher Appreciation! The food was wonderful and the gifts -amazing.
My students showered me with candy, flowers, cards & gifts.
I have never felt more appreciated. Thank you! Thanks you! Thanks
you!
I have loved every day I have been at Northern Trails. Your children
are so special, and I know it is because of the warm, generous people
that you are. I have been blessed to be here. Thank you for
everything!
Fondly,
Sue Whetter
Northern Trails PTO Press, June 2012
Dear Northern Trails PTO ~
Thank you so much for the wonderful short-throw projector. Our
students have been cheering every time we fire it up! It has been wonderful
to search for information, photos & videos and share with the whole group.
Many smiles,
Kerrie Bandyk
Dear Northern Trails PTO,
I wanted to thank you for the wonderful teacher
appreciation treats and meals you provided last week. What a
nice surprise! I also wanted to send thanks for your financial
support this year. I was able to add to my materials for my
students at NT.
Many thanks!
Jennifer Clary - ELL Teacher
Dear PTO,
Thank you SO much for all of the incredible treats and meals you provide
for teacher this week. You do so much for our school and are appreciated so much
as well.
Sincerely,
Mike Rapaport
Northern Trails 2011-2012
PTO Board
President
Chris Hodgkins
chris1dj@sbcglobal.net
822-6575
Vice President
Jennifer Bowman
thebowmans@hotmail.com
450-1538
Treasurer
Craig Niemann
craigniem@hughes.net
957-3186
Secretary
Charity Smith
charity.a.smith@att.net
272-4690
6th Grade Coordinators
Yvonne Lynn
247momy@comcast.net
719-7417
Michelle Schellenberg
m.schellenberg@comcast.net
956-1494
5th Grade Coordinators
Kate Gorski
kate.gorski@sbcglobal.net
977-4401
Dawn Almassian
dalmassian@att.net
575-0977
Feel free to contact a board
member if you have
questions about the PTO.