2012-2013 East Teacher of the Year Congratulations Ms. Wall!

DECEMBER EAST EXPRESS 2012Dear Parents,I can’t believe that December is here! While we often think ofbenevolence and giving during this joyful season, I’m happy tosay that our students are involved in service projects throughoutthe year. I’m so proud of the compassionate character ofyour children!Speaking of outstanding character, I’m happy to announce thatCathy Wall is our 2012-2013 East Teacher of the Year! Cathy’spassion for her work is enormous. She constantly strives toimprove herself as a teacher. She has achieved the very difficultaccomplishment of National Board Certification, regularlyvolunteers for new initiatives and leadership roles, and demonstratesas much love and concern for her students as anyteacher I’ve known. Cathy is an excellent representative for allthe outstanding teachers at our school! Well done Cathy!Speaking of outstanding character again, I’m selfishly sad toannounce the retirement of an excellent custodian and dearfriend, Deborah Debardleben. Deborah’s presence here hasgiven our staff such comfort over the years. She continuouslydemonstrated loving-kindness and concern for all of us, faculty,students, and parents, during her tenure. I wish Deborah thehappiest of retirements!AT AGLANCE...December 14Santa Snack ShopDecember 24—January 4Christmas HolidaysJanuary 7School ResumesAs I write this, the PTO, just yesterday, approved over$17,000 worth of special project purchases that will all benefitour students. These gifts include everything from iPads to arenovated outdoor basketball court to classroom book sets. Wewill now have one complete portable iPad lab, with a second oneon the way. What a great gift during this giving season!Thanks to all of you who supported our PTO during their giftwrapand Carnival fundraising season!Having a Wonderful Time at East and Wishing You aJoyful Christmas Season!Mark2012-2013 East Teacher of the YearCongratulations Ms. Wall!December 2012 Page 1

FROM OUR PTO PRESIDENT ~As I write this, the hustle and bustle of the holidays has begun! Hopefully you have madeit through Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday and are looking forward to a fewmore busy weeks ahead!Thank you to everyone who sent in an individually wrapped food item or two for our Caringand Sharing project. Again, the families at VHEE continue to amaze me with their generosity.We collected over 7000 items that will be packaged up by East’s students at Santa’sWorkshop on December 14. This year’s beneficiary of our Santa’s Workshop is JacksonElementary with any leftover backpack snacks being donated to Vestavia school counselorsfor distribution. Thank you to Beth Johnston and Amy Peerson for heading up our successfulCaring and Sharing week!Also, I just wanted to give a quick shout out to Deborah Newsom, East Express’ Editor extraordinaire!Deborah’s organization, attention to detail, and very kind reminders help tomake the East Express a huge asset to VHEE. Make sure you take a minute to read all ofthe articles, not just the menu!Please remember that we will not have a PTO Board meeting the months of December orJanuary. Our first PTO Board meeting for the first of the year will be held on Wednesday,February 6, 2013 at 9:30 am at VHEE.Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!Kristin Tunnell, PTO Presidentkristitunnell3@gmail.comThe East Express ispublished monthlyduring the schoolyear for parents,staff, and studentsof VHEE. Deadlinefor articles is the15th of each month.Please contactDeborah Wilgus NewsomEast Express EditorAt newsomfamily@charter.netDecember 2012 Page 2

COUNSELOR'S CORNER ~CHARACTER WORDS: CLEANLINESS, CHEERFULNESS, GENEROSITYIt's hard to believe that we are almost to mid-year. Time has certainly flown and now it istime for Christmas and the holidays.We always want everyone to have a great time with family and friends and to be safe aswell.SECOND GRADE NOTICE: The OLSAT for 2nd graders will be given on January 24, 2013.Judy Stoppelbein, School CounselorWe Wish You a Merry Christmas,we wish you a Merry Christmas,we wish you a Merry Christmasand aHappy New Year!December 2012 Page 3

Nurse Monica Says...What you need to know about...LICEAt East, we have to start thinking in terms of lice being a permanent resident here and we need to teach prevention.Parents have to start checking their children and making it a habitual routine!HOW TO CHECKTo check for lice, I use “nit sticks” that you can order from a medical supply place. The closest thing that I would thinka parent could use is something like a skewer. Split the hair at the back down the middle and then move the stick overa millimeter at a time from the crown down to the nape of the neck. Then do it cross ways. Start next on the side ofthe hair and move to the other side, doing it just as you did the back, from top to bottom and then side to side. Next,pull the hair up off the head and let it slowly go where it drifts down and look at the hair from different angles. Youmay see scalp debris and if you use hair products sometimes that can dry and stick to the shaft of the hair. The nitsare hard to see sometimes because they can be very small if they have just been laid. They are pearly looking, and attachedto the side of the hair shaft. They are tear-drop shaped. You have to make sure that you are in a good sourceof light to see them well. You may see the live ones crawling. They are difficult sometimes to find so remember if youdon't see the live ones and you see nits…………you have lice!!BE COURTEOUS—LET OTHERS KNOWIt is imperative that you let your carpool and friends that you have played with know so if they have it they will notpass it on to others before they have been treated. I see this more often than not… parents do not tell me and I don'tcheck the classroom because we are unaware lice is present. In the meantime it has spread to other children. This iswhy parents must make it almost a daily routine to check their children. If your child has lice, it is up to you as to whattype product to use. There are prescriptions, over the counter treatments, and we have a local company that will treatit.BE PERISISTENTBUT the key is the total nit removal! You can't just treat with the shampoo and then barely comb through the hair.You have to re-treat in a week to 10 days so if you missed an egg and it hatches, you will make sure nothing is viable. Itis important to follow the labels exactly. I have seen children's heads burned from leaving the treatment on too long.FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS!! We don't know why or how the lice got here but it is here to stay. We have to be proactiveto "nip it in the bud" or we could say "bug"……. parents don't need to get discouraged.NURSE MONICA IS HERE TO HELP!Please call me at any time to ask questions. Remember it is not a communicable disease, it is just a royal pain! I plan toask the Good Lord about the louse when I get to heaven….. I don't quite get what purpose they have except to make usparents slow down and spend some extra time with our kids!! Please help us stop the spreading of lice at East!THANK YOU, Nurse Monica, grahamms@vestavia.k12.al.usDecember 2012 Page 4

SANTA'S SNACK SHOPCalling all Santa's Helpers!Santa's Snack Shop will be Friday, December 14th, during the students' PE time.Vestavia East students will be "shopping" for snacks to put in a snack pack fora child who attends Jackson Elementary School to take home over the holidays.Jackson Elementary is a Birmingham City School where the majority of studentsreceive free or reduced lunch. We are also hoping to make additional snackpacks that can be given to Vestavia School counselors to distribute as needed.The snacks that East students are going to be shopping for were generouslydonated by Vestavia East families during Caring and Sharing Week! Our studentswill also have the opportunity to send a short holiday note to the child whowill receive their snack pack. We know Santa's Snack Shop will be a wonderfulopportunity for our students experience sharing and caring for others during the holiday season!Parents are encouraged to come and help their child shop during their PE time onFriday, December 14th.Also, if you would like to volunteer a couple of hours of your time to help makeSanta's Snack Shop a success please let us know!Santa's Snack Shop: Amy Stuckey at jasonamy5@att.netDecember 2012 Page 5

Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation•Two Big Events Coming in January and February•The start of a new year always signifies the beginning of an important season for the Vestavia Hills CitySchools Foundation. The Foundation has its two largest fundraising events during January and February,“Kids Pitch in for Education” and “Dinner, Diamonds, and Destinations.” These events provide essential fundsfor the Foundation’s education endowment and operating expenses.The Foundation’s education endowment is a perpetual source of funding for Vestavia Hills schools. Contributionsto the endowment are never spent; instead, the interest paid on the principal is used to fund grants toevery school in the Vestavia system. These grants support professional development for teachers, technologyenhancements, and classroom projects—all of which help education remain the cornerstone of the VestaviaHills community.KIDS PITCH IN FOR EDUCATIONDuring the months of January and February, students from Vestavia Hills schools will be participating in thefourth annual Kids Pitch In for Education campaign. Last year, students pitched in change, bills and pledgepayments totaling a whopping $32,169. These contributions went directly to the Foundation’s endowment.The 2013 Pitch In Campaign dates for each school are:VHEC January 14-18, 2013VHELP January 28-February 1, 2013VHECH February 4-8, 2013VHEE February 11-15, 2013VHEW February 25 - March 1, 2013The classroom that collects the most contributions during each school’s Pitch In Campaign wins an icecream party from Bruster’s Real Ice Cream. The teacher of the winning class is awarded a $50grant from the Foundation to be used in the classroom.This year we would like to thank Mark Yanosky Orthodontics for sponsoring the event.Watch for Pitch In materials coming home in your child’s backpack the weekbefore your school’s campaign.December 2012 Page 6

DINNER, DIAMONDS AND DESTINATIONSSATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 20137 p.m. at Ted’s GarageMark your calendar for an entertaining evening, benefitting the Vestavia HillsCity Schools Foundation. Come hear live music from the Undergrounders, enjoydelicious cuisine from Yellow Bicycle Catering, and experience a silent and liveauction packed with enviable treasures.Items available for bid include beautiful jewelry from Paul’s Diamond Center, abicycle from Cahaba Cycle, artwork from local artists, and cosmetic servicesfrom a local dermatology group.Among the dream destinations up for auction are a Top Gun experience, aNascar experience, the Kentucky Derby, the NCAA Final Four Tournament, theFrench Open Tennis Tournament, the Country Music Awards, and the GrammyAwards – among many other trip packages available.For more information about the event and to purchase tickets, go towww.dinneranddiamonds.org. Tickets are $75 per person and will go on saleJanuary 2, 2013. Last year’s event was a sell-out! Get your tickets early, anddon’t miss out!Sponsorship opportunities are available. Please contact diretor@vestaviafoundation.orgor call 999-8021 for more information.FOUNDATION SEEKING APPLICANTS FOR BOARD OF DIRECTORSThe Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation is seeking outstanding community volunteers and leaders toserve on its board of directors. This leadership group is a working board that exists to provide ongoingfinancial support to each Vestavia Hills school through the Foundation’s endowment and to protect andfoster a standard of academic excellence in our school system.Board members serve a three-year term as active ambassadors, fundraisers and leaders for the Foundation.If you are interested in applying for the board, please contact Ashley Thompson, the Foundation’s executivedirector, for more information and an application package. Email director@vestaviafoundation.orgor call 999-8021.Applications are due to the Foundation office by January 4, 2013.Ashley Thompson, Executive Director, Vestavia Hills City Schools FoundationDecember 2012 Page 7

CARING AND SHARING WEEK RESULTSHere’s what you brought in...968 Individual packets of instant oatmeal or grits613 Individual servings of applesauce or fruit cups1028 NutriGrain brand bars or cereal bars992 Individual bags of Goldfish or Cheez Its891 Any kind of cracker packs except peanut butter958 Pudding snack cups731 Boxes of Raisins660 Individual servings of macaroni and cheese or past1224 Vienna sausages, beef jerky, or Slim Jims= 8065 Items to make snack packs for Jackson Elementary and Vestavia City School counselors!!!AND THE WINNER IS...The overall classroom winner is Mrs. Giardina’s class with 375 items.The grade level winners are: D. Wade (Kindergarten) with 283 itemsWalsh (First) with 326 itemsPowell (Second) with 344 itemsTaylor (Third) with 333 itemsWow! Thanks so much for your generous contributions and support!Beth Johnson, Amy Peerson, and Amy StuckeyClassroom Art ProjectA huge THANK YOU for supporting our Classroom Art Project!!You helped raise $7,192 for our children and our school!.Emily FultonDecember 2012 Page 8

FALL 2012 SPECIAL PROJECTSAmong the many educational programs and faculty/facility support that the PTOprovides our school each year, your PTO dues and fundraising profits are also allocatedto fulfill teacher and administrative special requests in the form of “Special Projects.”Grant requests are gathered and prioritized, and awarded based on available funds. Weare so excited, in the 2012 Fall semester, to be able to provide some incredible resourcesto our school.Some highlights on this list include:· iPads to complete classroom sets· 2nd Grade Literary Book Sets to enhance the science curriculum· 1st Grade Interactive Read-Aloud sets· Kindergarten Math Cartsas well among many, many other fabulous faculty and administrative grants. Again, thankyou for your support of your PTO and for your great efforts in our Fall Fundraising.Special Projects are just one of the many ways EAST proudly stands out as a school ofexcellence!Questions? Please contact Jenny Waters, PTO President ElectDecember 2012 Page 9

GRAB A PIECE OFPIE AT EAST!Partners in Education (PIE) is aprogram by which individuals and businesses can supportVestavia HillsElementary East (VHEE) throughdonations of money, goods orservices. These individuals andPIE SPONSOROF THE MONTHbusinesses are recognized throughout the year in manyways including monthly school publications. TheVestavia Hills Chamber ofCommerce supports PIE and alldonations directly benefit thestudents ofSol AztecaMexican RestaurantVestavia Hills Elementary East.For more information, please contact Sarah Bryanat sarahpbryan@gmail.comor 637-1426.Sponsor LevelsPlatinum $1500+Gold $1000+Silver $500+Bronze $250+December 2012 Page 10

2012-2013 SPONSORSHarris Coggins Building Inc.Vestavia Hills United Methodist ChurchJackson, Howard &Whatley, LLCMark Yanosky OrthodonticsFull Moon BAR-B-QUEAllison & Gene HallmanPLATINUMGOLDDr. Kane Fulton, Fulton DentalJudy Carter & AssociatesMoe’s Original BBQBruster’s Real Ice CreamPearly White DentistrySol AztecaAllison & Glenn PetersRocky Ridge PharmacyMelisa & Edward ZwillingCummings JewelrySILVERIndie CandyEmily & Wade WatkinsKidz Closet & MoreKwik Kopy Printing VestaviaContri Brothers Gift BasketR. Michael Booker, Attorney at LawCarl Walker OrthodonticsAndy’s Farm MarketLauten Johnson and Clark Thomas, DMDOf Pediatric & Adolescent DentistryBarker AdvertisingSteve and Halla BrownCircleboxSarver OrthodonticsBRONZEAuntie Litter, Inc.Frito-LayContinental Florist, Inc.Kristen and Marc ComerMichelle and Bill DiGiorgioWarren Averett LLCRyan and Susan WalleyCarole and Matt MillerBrett Taylor, RE/Max SouthernHomesMoment PhotographyStephanie Steinmentz, DMDOf Pediatric DentistryLearning Express, Cahaba HeightsAndy and Kristin TunnellAsia Rug CompanySarah and Matt BryanDesign by Ellen SheumakerDonato's PizzaDoug Benjamin IKFOf Karate FederationBrasfield & GorrieSouthern Quick PrintJennifer Hagler PhotographyDigital Marketing ServicesAnytime FitnessCamp WinnatoskaMonograms PlusShannon and Lance BlackMudtownEdgar’s BakeryDiamonds Direct BirminghamJulie Harper, MDOf Birmingham Dermatologyand Skin Care CenterYMCADiamonds DirectUSB FinancialRobin Pruitt, DMDOf Vestavia Family Dentistryand Facial AestheticsiJumpDecember 2012 Page 11

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday3BBQ Pork SandwichFish SandwichBaked BeansBaked potato HalfCarrot and Raisin Salad4Asian Rice BowlTeriyaki chickenSweet and Sour MeatballsBrown Fried RicheStir Fry VeggiesGreen BeansPineapple Salsa5Breakfast for LunchScrambled EggsSausage PattySeasoned PotatoesWith Fresh Bell PepperCinnamon Apples6Greek Tilapia with HushpuppiesLow Fat CorndogSteamed SquashRoasted Zucchini andTomatoesBroccoliTossed Romaine Salad7PizzaTurkey WrapFresh Carrots and TomatoDippersRanch DressingSprig Mix Salad10CrispitosVegetable QuesadillaSteamed CornMexican BeansCheese, Sour Cream,Tomatoes, Salsa Lettuce11Baked ZitiCheese SticksVegetable Marina SauceItalian Mixed VegetablesGreek Salad12Hamburger SteakBaked ChickenMacaroni and CheeseLima BeansCalifornia Mixed Vegetables13HamburgerHotdogBaked BeansBaked FriesColeslaw14Chicken NuggetsSweet Potato CasseroleTurnip GreensGreen BeansWhole Wheat Rolls17Greek Chicken on WholeWheat PitaHot Turkey CroissantSeasoned New PotatoesRoasted SquashCucumber and TomatoSalad18JambalayaFish Nuggets with HushpuppiesCalifornia Mixed VegetablesCorn on the Cob19Chicken DivanSteamed CabbageBrown RiceBlack Eyed PeasTossed Romaine Salad20Breaded Chicken SandwichSweet Potato FiresVeggie Sticks21PizzaVeggie DippersTossed Romaine SaladOffered Daily:Low Fat Milk, Assorted FreshFruitAnd Canned Fruitsand SaladsSol Azteca thank you for grabbing a piece of8 Rowena Macnab 25 Kristie Taylor9 Brinkley Morrison 30 Sally vonEschenback23 Carol JohnsonDecember 2012 Page 12Vestavia Hills City Schools (VHCS) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has beendesignated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Debbie Hargrave, Section 504/Title IX Coordinator, at 1204 Montgomery Highway, 205-402-5100.For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit http://wdcrobcolp01.ed.gov/CFAPPS/OCR/contactus.cfm for the address and phone number of the office that serves your area, or call 1-800-421-3481.

2012 Holiday in the Hills EventsDECEMBER EVENTSDec. 4 // HOLIDAY FILM FESTIVAL // 12-9PMVestavia Hills will be hosting the inaugural Holiday Film Festival featuring family favoritessuch as A Charlie Brown Christmas, Elf, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and It’s A Wonderful Life.Bring a blanket or folding chair. Free admission & popcorn! // City Center special events room,near Zoe’sDec. 4 // CITY TREE LIGHTING // 6PMCome see which tree our school children selected as the city’s official Christmas tree! Santa isthe headliner with special performances by the Pizitz Girls’ Choir, A2 band, and the VHHSRockettes. A Chamber Business Expo will feature giveaways & coupons. Children are invited tobring “Letters to Santa” for special delivery to the North Pole. // City CenterDec. 8 // BREAKFAST WITH SANTA // 7:30-10AMChocolate chip pancakes will be back by popular demand! Bring the whole family to see Santaand enjoy breakfast. // $1 Suggested Donation // LodgeDec. 8 // SENIORS WITH SANTA // 2-4PMOur senior citizens are invited to enjoy holiday treats, entertainment. Sponsored by FamilyPrivate Care, LLC and Town Village. // New Merkle House, Cahaba HeightsDec. 9 // VESTAVIA HILLS CHRISTMAS PARADE // 2PMCome enjoy the city’s official Christmas parade featuring the VHHS Band and Santa. LibertyPark will host the parade followed by a festival of area merchants. // Liberty ParkDec. 20-22 // CRUISING THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS // 7PM+Families are encouraged to travel around the city in search of the best holiday light displays.Check the city website, VestaviaHills.net, or the Holiday in the Hills Facebook page for a listingof addresses or submit your favorites. You are also encouraged to dine at our city’s many excellentrestaurants. // CitywideFor additional information & a complete list of events, visit www.VestaviaHills.orgDecember 2012 Page 13