Our Staff is Super
This week, PTO volunteers will provide treats, gifts, and a catered lunch for all staff members.  We need additional volunteers to scan and clean up the staff lounge each afternoon.  This can be done by someone waiting in the carpool line from 3:30-4pm.  
Student Participation
Monday:  Bring your best smile and a hug.
Tuesday: Bring a homemade card with kind words.  Gifts cards are a wonderful way to show gratitude but are not required.
Wednesday: Wear Super Hero Tees or costumes without masks.
Thursday: Bring school supplies: pencils, post-its, glue sticks, tissues, etc.
Friday: Bring in a comic strip drawn of your teachers using super powers.  The document is attached if you need to print an extra.  Copies are also available on the PTO desk in front of the cafeteria.
Create a Comic strip SAW 2017.docx
Don't forget Support Staff
This year we have matched 1-2 support staff members with each classroom.  Students can appreciate their own classroom teachers and the support staff member in the same ways listed above.
Here is the chart listing the pairings: SAW flyer black and white.pdf

Dr Seuss themed door decorating was fantastic.  Classroom creativity was amazing.  Movie Night was a hoot!  There was a moment on Thursday when we thought the screen might blow away, but the wind calmed down, and fun was had by all.
Chick-fil-A Night
This Thursday is School Spirit night at Chick-fil-A in the Arboretum from 3-8 pm.  Be sure to tell your cashier that you are with Lansdowne Elementary so the school can earn a percentage of the proceeds that evening.  
Storytelling Festival
March 30th will be our annual Storytelling Festival.  Volunteers are needed to set up breakfast for the storytellers, take pictures, and even be storytellers themselves.  This is a fantastic morning of entertainment and engagement for our students.  Please email Maria Demakis at [email protected] to sign up or for more information.
Staff Appreciation Week 
March 13-17th will be our school's Staff Appreciation Week.  A PTO committee has put together a week of treats and surprises for our staff.  Look for a flyer coming home early this week with all the details.  Please email [email protected] if you would like to help and have not already signed up to do something next week.

Thank you to Jessica Hasley and Kelly Simon for organizing our Father/Daughter Dance.  It was a great event and special time for all who attended.
Read Across America WeekSpirit Week includes dress up to go with a Dr Seuss book for each day:
Monday: Wear Green, "Green Eggs and Ham" 
Tuesday: Wear Crazy Socks," Fox in Socks"
Wednesday: College Wear, "Oh the Places You'll Go"
Thursday: Wear Red, "The Cat in the Hat"
Friday: Wear a Hat, "The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins"

​Movie Night will be Thursday, March 2 at 6:30 pm showing Horton Hears a Who.
Art Contest Ends TuesdayDrawings being submitted for the annual art contest are due by Tuesday, February 28th.  Some submissions will be used in or on the cover of the 2016-2017 yearbook.  Art submitted will not be returned to students.  Winners will be announced in March.
Early Release DayMark your calendar. School will let out at 1:15 pm on Wednesday.

This week, Lansdowne Students are focusing on scattering kindness at school, home, and in the community by participating in Random Acts of Kindness (randomactsofkindness.org). Please help us by talking to your children about what they can do to show kindness by performing acts of kindness this week. For more information, contact our school counselor, Hayley Harris.

Art Contest Begins
Students will receive forms to be used to submit entries for our 2nd Annual Art Contest.  All entries are due by February 28th.  These entries will be used as art for this year's yearbook.  Be creative but consider that the cover will be reproduced in black and white. Extra forms are available in the front office.

Box Top Collections
Are you available to help from home?  We are looking 1-2 people to coordinate Box Top collection for the 2017-2018 school year.  Please email [email protected] for details on how to do the two collections. 

Snack the Staff Breakfast
Thank you to Courtney Farris and Providence Road Church of Christ for coordinating and providing breakfast for the staff on Wednesday, February 15th.  

This week:

• Books & Bagels: 12/6
• Snack the Staff Breakfast: 12/7
• Chick-fil-A Night: 12/8
• School Store Open: 12/9

Books & Bagels
The Book Fair will be open all day Monday and open on Tuesday until noon.   Students who have Media Center class on Mondays will shop during their Media class time.
Join us on Tuesday from 7:45-8:45 am to shop before school and grab a bite to eat.
Teachers need to exchange all coins donated by families before Tuesday at noon.
Thank you to everyone who has volunteered to work shifts.  It was a great team effort.  We are still in need of several volunteers to help any time Monday as well as Tuesday for Books and Bagels and to pack up Tuesday afternoon.
Check the sign-up for details.
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c4eaeae28a1fd0-2016
Checkers Hockey Family Spirit Night
Join other Lansdowne families for a fun night out at the Checkers Hockey Game at Boangles Arena on Saturday, December 17th at 6pm.
Fliers were sent home last week with more information including a ticket order form. Orders must be turned in no later than Monday, December 12th.
PTO November Meeting Minutes 
FALL IN REVIEW
Room Parents (Theresa Matheny for Megan Legassie)

• There is still some confusion if all parents have been contacted by their room parent
• Requesting Megan Legassie to send the link to class parents where they can find the "Favorite Things" sheet the teachers filled out at the beginning of the year.

PTO Membership (Suzanne Conway)

• 267 total members, 56 of which are staff members.
• 150 of 267 members have paid dues, 42 of which are staff members.

Fun Run (Candler Tindall)

• Over 95% of pledges have been collected which is more than the Boosterthon organization estimates. There is approximately $3000 which was pledged but not collected. 

Game Time with Dads (Amanda Harner)

• It was a good turnout, and we may be scheduling another in the spring if we can fit it into the schedule.

Beautification Day (Lara Barnett)

• Between two churches, parents, and the Cub Scouts, we had many volunteers. There were some issues with the leaf piles and where they were to be left. Ms. Crisp said a good task to add to the next beautification day would be to assign a few people for inside the school to blow dust from the vents in the computers.

Technology Crew (Theresa Matheny for Lin Leslie)

• Lin & Amy are working on upgrades and helping make the computers & cords easier to manage for the children. There was discussion about purchasing new technology, and teachers are completing a survey to assess needs and wants.

Copy Crew (Jessica Hasley)

• We still have a good number of people on the crew and several alternates. Teachers confirmed their copies are being completed as requested.

 DECEMBER HAPPENINGS
 Bus Driver Appreciation (Theresa Matheny / Ann Gieser)

• Bus driver Appreciation Day will be sometime between Dec 13-16. All bus drivers will receive a small gift from the PTO.

Snack the Staff Breakfast (Theresa Matheny / Mark from PRCC)

• Providence Road Church of Christ will be providing staff with breakfast on Dec 7th in the media center during the morning staff meeting.

Winter Concert Canceled (Ms. Crisp)

• The winter concert has been canceled, but there may be events in the spring. Ms. Allen is our substitute for Music and will remain so until the end of the year.

Checkers Hockey Game (Theresa Matheny)

• There are 150 tickets reserved for Lansdowne. We will all be sitting in the same section. Fill out the form sent home and send back with a check made payable to Charlotte Checkers. Tickets can then be picked up at the Will Call window under your name. Whoever reserves a ticket in advance will receive a free Charlotte Checkers hat. 

Class Parties (Ms. Crisp)

• Class parties can be held on Dec 20th any time the teacher requests. A reminder we have MANY peanut allergies in our school and everyone bringing items to the class parties should be aware.  Room parents will communicate with Teachers and Parents.

 WINTER EVENTS
 Snack the Staff (Courtney Farris)

• Jan 11 Salad Bar - details TBD.

Muffins with Mom (Theresa Matheny)

• Will now be a 2 day event since we had such a big turnout last year. 2 churches (King of Kings & Providence Road) have volunteered to provide muffins and help with this event.

Father/Daughter Dance (Kelly Simon & Jessica Hasley)

• Feb 24th Fri 6:30-8:30 pm. Details TBD. Tickets will be $10 for father/daughter pair.

Final Thoughts or Suggestions

• Many illnesses running through the school, encourage your children to WASH THEIR HANDS!

Monday is Brixx Buxx Night
Bring your family to have dinner at Brixx in Foxcroft, and 20% of your bill can be returned to Lansdowne.  Ask your server for a Brixx Buxx form at the end of your meal.
Tuesday is PTO Meeting Night
Please join us in the cafeteria from 6:30-7:30 pm to brainstorm new ideas, plan winter events and beyond. We need your input and have special prizes for first time attendees. Childcare is provided for children.
Book Fair Details
​The book fair will be open for students to shop on Tuesday during all regularly scheduled Media Center times.  Students can bring money with them on their Media day.  
Thursday, December 1st will be Book Character Day.  Students should dress like their favorite Book Character.  Everyone is invited to return to school between 4:15-6:30 for extended book fair hours and story time.
Volunteers are still needed for many book fair shifts.  Please sign up to work a shift or help with the special events after school on 12/1 or before school on 12/6. We need your help with running the book fair even if you have no experience in the past.  It's fun and easy.  Thank you!
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c4eaeae28a1fd0-2016

Thank you to Hasty Millen, Courtney Farris, and everyone who sent in chili bar items for Snack the Staff.  The teachers thought it was delicious. 

Girls on the Run Canned Food Drive
Our Girls on the Run Club has organized a canned food drive to benefit Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry.  The collection will run through November 18th.  The most needed items are canned meat, fruit, vegetables, and pasta, powdered milk, and cereal.  The class with the most items donated will win a pizza party sponsored by the Girls on the Run Club.

Book Fair Planning is in Effect
The Fall Book Fair will begin the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.  PTO needs more volunteers for Book Fair than any other event.  Please consider signing up for one or more shifts.  We need you!
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0c4eaeae28a1fd0-2016

PTO Meeting
Mark your calendar, our next PTO meeting will be Tuesday, November 29th at 6:30 pm in the school Media Center.  Childcare is provided, and we hope to see you there.

Game Time with Dad was a wonderful time.  A special thank you to Amanda Harner for coordinating the event.  
Beautification was a success as well.  Thank you to Eric Heller and Lara Barnett who organized the projects and to all of the volunteers who participated.  Check out the garden wall near the walk-up entrance to see the beautiful art work that was designed by Michelle Heller and put up on Saturday.  We hope you enjoy seeing it.

Last Official Fun Run Collection Date
Monday, November 7th will be the last official day to send in collected pledges.
Thank you to Candler Tindall, Leigh Bryant, Elizabeth Purdie, and many other volunteers for all of their hard work over the last several months to make this fundraiser our best one yet.  
Thank you to each donor who gave to our school to support instruction for our staff & students.  Please remember to thank your donors for their support.

Toy & Co
This week 20% of your purchases at Toys & Co. in Cotswold will be returned to our school.  If you plan to shop there, make sure you mention Lansdowne Elementary at check out.

Snack the Staff
Wednesday, November 9th will be our next Snack the Staff.  We are hosting a chili bar for lunch for the teachers.  Check out this sign up to see what items are needed.
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0d45abad23a1fb6-november

Chick-fil-A Night
Join us for dinner on Thursday evening at Chick-fil-A in the Arboretum.  Lansdowne receives a portion of the proceeds from these nights.
The class who has the highest attendance receives a prize.  We hope to see you there.

No School October 31st
Parent Teacher Conferences will be held all day on Monday, October 31st.  There will be no school this day.
Game time with Dads 
PTO will be organizing a fun evening on the playground for all children and their dads (grandpas, uncles, or other family members welcome).
Balls and equipment will be available for soccer, kickball, basketball, capture the flag, and other games. Drinks and snacks will be provided by Carmel Baptist Church.
Please email Amanda Harner with any questions at [email protected]
Fall Beautification Day
Saturday, November 5th, PTO will host our rescheduled Fall Beautification Day. Thank you to Lara Barnett and Eric Heller for coordinating the activities including: trimming bushes, removing sticks, cleaning up the courtyards and mulching.
Meet at the main entrance of the school.  Projects will be ongoing from 9 am-noon.   Please bring tools for trimming and weeds if possible, and wear gloves if you have them.