Winner Winner Firehouse Dinner!!

You know there is a lot going on today.  Shopping, decking the halls, sporting events, Christmas programs... all of it take some of your time.  Give yourself a break and have dinner at Firehouse Subs tonight.  Zelda Road and Atlanta Highway... Turn your reciept back in with Bear written on it for Spirit Night credit!!
It's a Winner!!

Bear is the Box that Rocks Winner!!!

Bear won the Box that Rocks Viewer's Choice Contest sponsored by TerraCycle. TerraCycle® is a company that upcycles and recycles traditionally non-recyclable waste. 

Bear participates in their CapriSun Brigade. Bear collects CapriSun pouches and turns them in to Terracycle. TerraCycle pays Bear about a penny a pouch.  

TerraCycle challenged Brigade® participants across the nation to design and build their own creative TerraCycle collection bin using upcycled waste materials. Bear's Green Team designed and built the Recycling Rocketship the first 2 weeks in October using all upcycled materials from Bear - used cardboard boxes, CapriSun pouches (that were cleaned and cut up), paper towel rolls, etc. 

The Rocketship is a fun way to remind students to recycle their CapriSun pouches!

The Green Team wants to thank everyone who voted and to remind everyone to recycle!!

Christmas Party Information

Our Christmas Parties

will take place over a 3 day period.  The schedule is as follows:

2:30 - 3:15

Tuesday, December 17 - Kindergarten & 1st Grade

Wednesday, December 18 - 2nd and 3rd Grades

Thursday, December 19 - 4th and 5th Grade

Parking:  Make sure that you are parked in a manner that will not interfere with our regular dismissal procedures.

No younger or older siblings should attend the parties.  The classroom parties are the the students in the classroom and their parents only.

Vote for Bear... Now!!

Our CapriSun Rocket ship is a finalist in the Terracycle Box That Rocks contest!!! 

  The Bear Box That Rocks entry has been chosen by the TerraCycle team as one of the 10 Viewer's Choice finalists. Starting October 25th, we'll be able to vote on our Box That Rocks contest page for our box. 

Be sure to tell everyone you know to vote for your awesome box!

The voting phase lasts from October 25th to November 15th and the Winner will be announced on November 22nd.

To vote we need to go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2013BoxthatRocks and click on Bear. 

Fall Festival Reminders

Fall Festival Deadlines are coming up quick!

If you would like a Fall Festival T-shirt, orders are due by Tuesday, October 8th. (Order Form)

Basket Items are due in Tuesday, October 8th.

Fall Festival Sponsorships are due by Tuesday, October 8th.   (Sponsorship Form)

If you have game prizes to donate, please send them by Tuesday , October 15th.

Pre-paid wristbands order forms are due Friday, October 18th. (Order Form)

Click Here for Fall Festival Information!!

September 24, 2013 PTA Meeting

 Meeting called to order at 5:16 pm by PTA president Kristen Criswell

President Report:  Great beginning to a great year!!

·         This PTA meeting in combination with MATH night had a record attendance

Discount Cards:

·         The discount card drive ended Thursday, September 19, 2013

·         To date we raised $32,5000 – will profit $31,000

o   WINNER of mini ipad – 2^nd grade Carson Hawkins

o   WINNER of $100 gift card drawing – Ava Howard

Approval of 2013-2014 Budget:

·         Back of the agenda – Motion to pass the budget, a second, 2013-2014 budget passed at 5:25 pm

PTA Membership Report:

·         Thank you for joining

·         824 memberships thus far

·         16 out of 24 classes have reached 100% membership

Spirit Nights Kickoff:

·         A list will be sent home of the multiple spirit nights available for the Bear family

·         We would like to fund a project with this year – replacing the 24 yr old stage curtains in the cafeteria = $3,660

Uniform Sale Report - Free Money Kickoff:

·         3^rd annual uniform sale this summer profited = $1,500, we purchased clothes rack for future sales

·         Consignment sale - $2.00 items available

·         Free $$$ opportunities – Spirit Night, Recycling, Box Tops, Labels for Ed, Sunny D (16oz or larger), Campbell Soup labels, Publix keytag, Tyson chicken, Coke Rewards, CapriSun pouches, Office Depot 5%

Fall Festival: Volunteers Needed!!

·         October 22 – 3:40 – 6:00pm

·         Pre-Order wristbands (to avoid long lines),

·         Fall festival t-shirts will be available, but there will not be any extras ordered

·         Hamster Ball pre-order ONLY!!

**October 8^th – First Aluminum Can Drive!! Drop off your cans between 8-8:45am that morning by the dumpster behind the lunchroom

**October 22 – Fall Festival 3:30-6pm

Meeting adjourned at 5:42pm

Math Night

Math Night is Tuesday September 24.  This is a fun night where math takes center stage… and in a fun way.  Kids get to learn while having a great time with their teachers and classmates.  And to make the night easier for you, the PTA is serving Pizza dinners for $10.  Click here to download an order form.  Fill out and return with your payment by Monday, September 23^rd.

Are You A Discount Card Rock Star?

You Can Be!  The Discount Card contest is running until the 19^th of September.  1^st Prize is an iPad mini!  Discount Cards include saving listed below.

These are awesome deals!  So sell for Bear, and let your friend cash in on the savings!!

Mayor's 1/2 Marathon

Run Bear Run!!!

Dear Parents,
The Mayor's 1/2 Marathon Run will take place October 12th downtown Montgomery. We are encouraging all students to participate. They will run one mile that day but will have completed 12 miles during their P.E. classes. The cost is $15.00 and this includes a fabulous running shirt and recognition after the race. They will actually run into the Biscuits Stadium. Please participate if you are able registration forms are due by Sept. 6th !

Thank you,
SueAnne Reynolds
Physical Education Teacher

Half Marathon Registration Form

Have a Great First Day of School

Hi!  Are you and your children excited, or nervous?  Here are a couple of quick things that can make the first day school more exciting and less nerve wracking.

1. Pack everything Sunday Afternoon.  Get those lunches ready, fill out all your forms and pack those backpacks by Sunday Afternoon.  Get it out of the way so you can have a relaxing evening Sunday Night.  Maybe watch a movie or TV show or read a fun book together. 
2. Take a few minutes to review their successes of the past year.  Tell them how proud you are of how much progress they made last year.  Encourage them.  If they are in Kindergarten, remind them of how much they already know.  They are so smart.  Let them know that you know how smart they really are.
3. Go to bed early.  It will be tough to get them to bed early, but sleep is so important.  The children need it and so do you.
4. On Monday Morning… take pictures.  They grow so fast.  Below are links to some 1^st Day of School Printable.

5. If you come into the school Monday Morning, quickly take pictures and drop off.  The sooner you get out of sight, the better.
6. Stop by the BooHoo Yahoo Breakfast sponsored by the Bear PTA in the lunchroom. It is a great place to meet and visit with other parents.  

Before you know it, you will have your little chefs back in your home kitchen!
Do you have any good tips for the first day of school?  Please share in the comments!

Making the most of your Bear Back to School Night!!

Hi Friends ~  Much preparation has been going on at Bear, getting ready for your children to start later on this month.  Before school starts we have Bear Back-to-School-Nights (BtSN).  Full of fun and information, and you certainly want to make the best of it.  So here are a few ideas to help you have a great BtSN!!

Come early, but not too early.  The door to your BtSN will open about 15 minutes prior to the scheduled time.  You want to get there, get parked, get a place to sit or stand, and be ready once the meeting begins.  If the meeting you will be attending is second one of the day, please know that the previous group might still be there.

Make friends.  Everyone in the meeting is connected to the same grade.  Meet parents, other children.  Those connections can be helpful during the school year.

Bring a note pad for notes.  I know, you have a cell phone for notes.  For this meeting, skip the phone and use paper.  Your kids know that you can check Facebook, email and even play games quietly, all the while not paying attention.  Show them that this is important enough to not have your phone out.  And you will be modeling what to do when something is important… write it down.

You will get a lot of information at BtSN.  Part of this meeting is held in the Lunchroom and part of it is held in the classroom.  This is an opportunity to meet the teachers.  This is not a good time for a conversation with the Teacher about an important issue.  Plan to make an appointment to discuss the matter.

 Plan to Plug in.  You will receive a Bear PTA packet that includes all your PTA forms.  Each teacher will be looking for parents to help with functions during the year.  Considering volunteering.  This school is great, and we need you to help make it greater!!

Not sure when your BtSN is?  Check below…

Tuesday, August 13

5th grade at 5pm

4th grade at 6:15

Wednesday August 14

3rd grade at 5pm

2nd grade at 6:15

Thursday, August 15

 1st grade at 4pm

Kindergarten at 5:30

We look forward to seeing you soon!!

Back to School Nights

Tuesday, August 13

5th grade at 5pm

4th grade at 6:15

Wednesday August 14

3rd grade at 5pm

2nd grade at 6:15

Thursday, August 15

 1st grade at 4pm

Kindergarten at 5:30

Uniform Consignment Sale

Uniform Consignment Sale

sponsored by the Bear PTA

Here is your chance to SELL or DONATE outgrown uniforms

and BUY pieces that are in great condition!

RECEIVING DATE:

Monday, August 5

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

in the Bear Cafeteria

Please bring your pre-priced clothing on hangers - rack ready.

You will receive 50% of the sales price.

The other 50% goes to support the PTA (or you can donate 100% to the PTA).

SALE DATE:

Tuesday, August 6

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

HALF-PRICE SALE  & PICK-UP:

Wednesday, August 7

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 PICK-UP unsold clothing & your money earned

HALF-PRICE SALE - Clothes donated to Bear will be marked down by half.

Volunteers are needed and get to shop one hour early!

Please contact Lisa Stevens at 213-3229/399-6159

or lisastevens@charter.net for more info.

Click Here to Download Price Guide
Click Here to Download Price Tags

Welcome Back!

Hi Students and Parents!

Everyone here at Bear Exploration Center is busy preparing for the 2013- 2014 School Year!

And we have been cookin' up some great things for you this year!