Bear PTA News-December 2019

Happy Holidays!

Class Christmas Parties

Room parents are busy planning the class Christmas parties that are coming up soon! Parents are welcomed to attend the parties with their student (no siblings). All parties are from 2:45-3:30.

The parties are:

Kindergarten-you will receive correspondence from your child’s teacher regarding your Christmas Party time.

1^st grade- December 17^th

2-3 December 18^th

4-5 December 19^th  

PTA Meeting

We had a great turnout at our last PTA Meeting for our annual Book Swap and Costume Parade.  Thanks to all who attended.  Save the date for our next meeting, which will be January 14^th.  We will be giving out the prizes to our school reflections winner as well as having our middle school panel.  Floyd panel of teachers & administrators. Pre-submitted questions will only be taken. Start submitting your questions for the panel here: 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0f4ea9a828a2fd0-bear1

           

Spirit Night!

Thanks to all of those that showed up for our spirit night at Chappy’s.  It was great to see all the Bear students and their families! The next spirit night will be at Pizza Perfect on January 24^th.

Free Money

Free Money Volunteers

Need help entering bottle cap codes. Signup here & we’ll send home a bag of bottle caps & instructions with your child. 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0f4ea9a828a2fd0-bear1

Reflections Art Contest

We had some amazing entries submitted this year! 

Primary K-2nd Grade Bear Reflections Winners:

Music Composition:

1st Place: Amelia Johnson

Photography:

1st Place: Benjamin Noah Moore

2nd Place: Avery Grace Stanton

Literature:

1st Place: Banks Davenport

Visual Arts

1st Place: Avery Grace Stanton

2nd Place: Magnolia Underwood

3rd Place: Aveeana McCrary

Intermediate 3-5th Grade Bear Reflections Winners:

Dance Composition:

1st Place: Mary Grace Parsons

Music Composition:

1st Place: Brayden D. White

Film Production:

1st Place: Terra Dixon

Photography:

1st Place: Maddie Longpre

2nd Place: Jackson Sexton

3rd Place: Tanner Hoit

HM: Makayla Chatman

Literature:

1st Place: Faithlynn Nugyen

2nd Place: Sarah Cate Gulsby

3rd Place: Jackson Sexton

Visual Arts

1st Place: Jessica Rogel

2nd Place: Rosa Sklar

3rd Place: Millie DeLoach

HM: Henry Manderville

All students’ entries were submitted to the County level.  We will be passing out certificates and prizes at the next PTA meeting.

Discount Cards

We will be sending out a survey in January to find out what you like, love or could do without on the Bear Discount Card.  Please be thinking of any suggestions or businesses you want to see on the card for next year.

Fun Run

We’re excited about this opportunity to come together as a school & focus on health & character & support our school in the process.

It will span March 23 to April 3 with the run being the last day. There will be fun incentives given to students each day who meet specific goals. It’s a great opportunity to get grandparents & out of town friends & family involved in our school. There will be more info coming home in the new year.

Upcoming Events

Bear Family Dance-February 7^th

Science Night-February 20^th

Fun Run-March 23-April 3^rd

Bear Wear-Order now through November 8th

Bear Wear ordering window is now open! Check out our new Store!!!

https://bearexploration.memberhub.store/

Order now through November 8th!

Remember items take several weeks after the order is placed to come in.

Stay tuned for some newly designed Bear Mom shirts!

November PTA Newsletter

Happy November! November is a time of Thanksgiving and we are thankful for wonderful PTA members! 

PTA Meeting

November 19^th is our annual Book Swap and Costume Parade at our PTA Meeting.  Children can turn in up to 5 previously read books to exchange with up to 5 other books! The books need to be:

ü  Gently loved (no bends, major tears or writing in the book)

ü  Appropriate for ages 6-12

ü  Chapter books only-grades 2-5

ü  AR books are strongly recommended (Check them out on ARbookfind.com)

***No oversized coffee table books, pre-school or coloring/activity books or cardboard books***

Deadline to turn in books is Monday, November 18^th

Children are invited to come dressed as their favorite book character.  Children will circle the lunchroom and walk on stage during the PTA meeting.  Every child older than 3 years who comes in a book character costume with their featured book will get a treat and entered into a drawing for a Prize Pack.

           

Spirit Night!

The next spirit night is at El Taco Shop (this restaurant is owned by a Bear parent!) on November 4^th from 5:00-8:00pm.  Please go out and enjoy some yummy food while supporting Bear!

Reflections Art Contest

Across the nation, local PTAs compete in Reflections Art Contests. Bear has had several students compete and win awards at the county and state levels. There are cash prizes for students who compete and win at the school level. The submission deadline is November 14th. The theme is "Look Within." The six categories are art, music, dance, writing, film production, and photography. The competition is broken down into grades K-2 and 3-5. Students can enter multiple categories.

All entries must be turned in with by November 14 with an Entry form. The form can be found on the Bear PTA Facebook Page under Forms. All forms can be picked up from Mrs. Bonikowski, or you can email Jill Sexton (jasexton23@yahoo.com) who can send hard copies home with your student.

Bear Wear
Are your students getting chilly? Have they already lost their jacket and sweatshirt? Bear Wear will be available to purchase November 4th-8th.

Specialist Spotlight

The Specialist Spotlight for November is– Mrs Lanier our wonderful Technology teacher! Her wish list includes, Office Depot gift card so she can purchase ink, Amazon gift cards so she can purchase wireless keyboards, Clorox wipes and an electric 3 hole punch.  Students that send in items will put their names on the log and be entered to win $3 Bear Bucks to be used at the supply cart or book fair.

Fall Festival

Thank you to all of the parents, grandparents and volunteers who assisted at Fall Festival this year. It was a HUGE success. This year’s Festival was led by the amazing Traci Bludsworth Schell. Golden Bears were organized by Kristen Brown, Mindy Craymer and Karen Fuqua. Lee Johnson led the Papa Bears in taking care of the ant beds and other duties needed. The beautiful gift baskets were made by Jennifer Henderson, John Mosley was on the grill and concessions were organized by Angie Heilman.  It truly is a team effort that makes Bear such a wonderful school! 

Bear PTA News-October 2, 2019

Bear PTA News-October 2, 2019

Discount Cards

Kelly Stanton would like to thank Parents, Teachers, and Students for a successful Discount Card Campaign.  We also took 109 students to Chuck-E-Cheese on yesterday for selling 25 or more Discount Cards.  In addition, this year we had one class with 100% participation; Congratulations, Mrs. Barton’s class! Her class will receive a popsicle party.

Lastly, if you have any outstanding cards of money please return by Thursday, October 3^rd.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Kelly Stanton at kstanton2008@gmail.com.

BASKET ITEMS NEEDED!
Fall Festival is right around the corner and we are all so excited!! We are in need of items for this year’s baskets that will be silent auctioned at the festival!

✔️Taste of The River Region Basket (restaurant gift cards, sauces, local treats, etc.)

✔️Gift Card Basket (Amazon, Target, any type of general gift card)

✔️Pamper Me Basket (Salon gift cards, lotions, soaps, candles, etc.)

✔️Family Fun Basket (games, cards, outdoor items, movie passes, bowling passes, etc.)

FALL FESTIVAL!

Wristband orders are due by October 10^th.  You can purchase wristbands for $15 at the festival. 

We need everyone’s help to get our inflatables and activities covered.  Please sign up for a 30-minute shift using this link below.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0F4EA9A828A2FD0-fall

Also, please consider buying or making treats to sell at our baked sale tent. Those items can be brought to the school the morning of the Fall Festival.  We will have volunteers outside carpool line to grab them from you.

We will be dedicating our playground during the Fall Festival as well to thank Kiwanis Club for helping make it possible.

GOLDEN BEARS

Golden Bears T-shirts will go home with their grandchild on October 9^th, just in time for them to be worn at the Fall Festival when they volunteer!


SPECIALIST SPOTLIGHT
The Specialist Spotlight for October is Coach Reynolds – the PE teacher. Coach Reynolds has specifically requested Band-Aid brand bandages – regular and large ones to fit elbows and knees, Lysol wipes, instant ice packs and CD sleeves/envelops and A batteries. If your child brings in an item for Coach Reynolds, make sure that they sign the Gift Log so that they will be entered into a drawing for a prize. There is a collection box in the PE room.


A HUGE Thank you to all 27 students who brought in items for Mrs. Bonokowski! Riley Jones, Lulu Gunnells, Dylan Brown, James Earnest, Zane Hall, The Richardsons (Worth, Whitley, and Ben), Luke Jones-Collum, Jordyn Lett, Teagan Brown, Corey Ellis, Auraya Buathet, Brandon Sanchez, Aydan Capilouto, Ava Mosley, Britt Barley, Jordan McGhee, John Harrison, Ethan Kelly, Lourdes Ellis, Andrew Nguyen, Aaron Holtsford, Emme Kaplan, Carson Shambray, Ella Reid, Ezra LaBier, Morgan Smith, and Katrina Hamil. We decided to draw 2 names since there were so many that brought items!  AVA MOSLEY and JAMES EARNEST are the winner of the BEAR BUCKS for September.


Reflections Art Contest

Across the nation, local PTAs compete in Reflections Art Contests. Bear has had several students compete and win awards at the county and state levels. There are cash prizes for students who compete and win at the school level. The submission deadline is November 14th. The theme is "Look Within." The six categories are art, music, dance, writing, film production, and photography. The competition is broken down into grades K-2 and 3-5. Students can enter multiple categories.

All entries must be turned in with an entry form.  All forms can be picked up from Mrs. Bonikowski, or you can email Jill Sexton who can send hard copies home with your student. Please turn in the items to Mrs. Bonokoski.

UPCOMING EVENTS
Oct. 3 – Picture Day

Oct. 10 – Deadline for prepaid FF wristbands

Oct. 15 – FALL FESTIVAL

Oct. 23 – GLOW - The Teacher Appreciation committee will be contacting volunteers soon to provide a wonderful luncheon for our teachers.

Oct 28 to Nov 1- Red Ribbon Week – Say No to Drugs. Information will be sent home after the Fall Festival.

Nov 4-Spirit Night @ El Taco Shop from 5:00-8:00

Nov 19-PTA Meeting/Book Swap

MARK YOUR CALENDARS - NO SCHOOL – Oct. 11, 14 (parent visitation day), 25

Basket Items Needed for Fall Festival

The PTA will be holding a silent auction during the Fall Festival this year! We need your help to make these baskets awesome! While you are out shopping this weekend please pick up a gift card or an item off the list below. Also, if you know of any businesses that would donate a gift card or an item please reach out to them or let us know and we can reach out!

Here are the basket themes:

✔️Taste of The River Region Basket (restaurant gift cards, sauces, local treats, etc.)

✔️Gift Card Basket (Amazon, Target, any type of general gift card)

✔️Pamper Me Basket (Salon gift cards, lotions, soaps, candles, etc.)

✔️Family Fun Basket (games, cards, outdoor items, movie passes, bowling passes, etc.)

Thank you in advance for your support of Bear and our fabulous Fall Festival!

Discount Cards, Fall Festival and Math Night

Discount cards for Incentives are due by Thursday at 9:00 a.m.! The last day before Thursday to request more cards to be eligible for the incentives will be this Wednesday.

*Remember you can sell Discount cards throughout the year, but to be eligible for the Chuck E Cheese field trip (25 cards sold), your name in the raffle for a chance to win $100 (1 chance for every 10 cards sold), and to be eligible for most cards sold to win the iPad; monies need to be in by Thursday at 9:00 a.m.*

Fall Festival packets will be coming home today!!! You can order wristbands and tickets on our online store.

http://bearpta.3dcartstores.com/Fall-Festival_c_15.html 

Math Night is tomorrow! The lunchroom will be open for you to pick up your pre-ordered concessions at 4:45!

Bear PTA Newsletter-September 4, 2019

Welcome to September! This is our first PTA Newsletter of the school year.  We will be sending out these emails periodically to keep us all updated.

DISCOUNT CARDS

It’s our biggest fundraiser, and we have lots of work to do!!! Please feel free to start sending in the money that you are collecting. Also, if you know that you aren’t going to sell all of the cards in your possession, please send some of them back to us. Remember, for every 10 you sell, your name will be entered into a drawing to win $100! Also, if your child sells 25 cards they will get to go on a special trip to Chuck E Cheese! Sell, sell, sell……… it’s for OUR students, OUR teachers, OUR school!

PTA MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

We are at 640 total PTA memberships. Last year we had 836, so please continue to join the PTA. The top 3 classes are Stallworth, Barton, Forster and Brand (tied for 3^rd). We still have 5 classes that are not at 100%! Our goal is to meet or exceed our number for last year! We can do it!

·         Remember You can join anytime, but to be eligible for the incentives membership is due by September 6th

·         Student with the most memberships overall will be rewarded with a $25 Bear Wear Store Credit!!
Student with the most PTA memberships per grade wins $10 Bear Wear Store Credit!!

·         *Student cannot win overall and grade level prize. Grade level prize will be awarded to student with the 2nd most memberships.*

·         Class with the most PTA memberships wins a Doughnut Party and a ½ day Teacher Pass!!

·         Each class that receives 100% PTA membership by September 6th wins a Popsicle Party!

PTA MEETING

Come Be an Explorer and come to our first PTA Meeting on Tuesday, September 10 at 6:00 p.m.

The PTA will offer several drawings for giveaways. You must be a PTA member to be eligible for prizes.

·               Fall Festival package which include 4 wristbands and 2 t-shirts

·              $25 Bear Wear Gift certificate

·              (3) $5 Bear Bucks prizes for students (good at the Book Fair and the school supply cart)

We will discuss Discount Cards, Fall Festival and the Reflections art contest. We will also sell the remaining clothes from the Uniform Sale at deep discounts.

GARDEN BRICK ORDER
Bear Bricks orders are due September 6^th. Bricks are a great way to leave your mark forever at Bear. 

GOLDEN BEARS (GRANDPARENTS CLUB)

We love our Golden Bears! Grandparents have a wonderful opportunity to help sponsor the outdoor classroom, and in return enjoy a wonderful breakfast with their grandchild in April. Become a Golden Bear today! Membership forms due September 6^th. 

MATH NIGHT
Mark your calendars for Math Night on Tuesday, September 17. We are SO lucky to have a fabulous staff who plan an amazing night of educational activities for our students. The PTA supports Math Night by providing a low-cost pizza dinner for families ahead of the event. Stay tuned for more details.

SPECIALIST SPOTLIGHT

For each month of the school year, we will choose a Bear Specialist to shower with some extra love. Please have your child bring in items from this teacher’s wish list. When your child brings in an item, make sure that he/she signs the Gift Log. At the end of the month, one student from the Gift Log (chosen at random) will win 3 Bear Bucks (good at the school supply cart and the Book Fair).

The Specialist of the Month for September is our wonderful Art Teacher, Mrs. Bonokowski

Items on her wish list:

·              HP 63 Ink Cartridges (color and black)

·              Black Sharpies

·              Baby Wipes

SPIRIT NIGHT

Our first spirit night is this Friday at Newtopia from 4:00-7:00. We get 20% of all the proceeds so please come out for a fun time! You will have to sign in and put your receipt in the bucket.

PAPA BEARS

Ant killer is needed for the Fall Festival and daily PE maintenance. Bring all donations to Coach Reynolds. If you have questions please contact PAPA Bear Coordinator Lee Johnson, 334-301-2255.

BEAR WEAR

All Bear Wear has been distributed except for rain jackets and fleece beanies.  We have limited stock in field trip t-shirts, dri-fit polos, hoodies, theme shirts and fleece jackets.  If you need to purchase one of these items please contact Mindy Craymer at 334-414-4587.  There is a $5 convenience fee in between order windows.  The next order window is in November.

Thank you, Fellow Explorers! Come out and see us next Tuesday, so we can help you navigate all of this information. As you can see, there is a way for every parent and grandparent to help out at Bear. So glad we are on this adventure together!

September Specialist Spotlight

Each month we will highlight a specialist and share their wish list for their classroom. Septembers specialist is our wonderful Art teacher Mrs. Bonokowski! Her wish list is:

*HP 63 Ink Cartridges (color and black)

*Black Sharpies

*Baby Wipes

There will be a sheet in Mrs. Bonokowski's classroom where your child can write their name on it and what item they bring. Each name will be entered into a drawing and the winning child will receive some Bear Bucks!

Super Silent Auction Winners

Congratulations to our parking space winners:

John Mosley
Jennifer Henderson
Rachel Barley.

Discount Cards 2019-2020

Discount Cards will go home on Thursday, August 22^nd!  Parents join us on this adventure of selling as many Discount Cards as possible.  If you did not request cards, an envelope will be sent home encouraging you to request at least five cards to sell.  You can request cards by writing on the envelope.  We will be fulfilling these additional cards request on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays.

If your child sells at least 10 cards, their name will go in a drawing to win $100.  If your child sells 25 or more cards they will go on a special field trip to Chuck E Cheese.  The child who sells the most cards will win an iPad mini or a $200 Visa gift card (their choice). To be eligible for prizes all money and unsold cards must be turned in by September 19.

This card sells itself! There are many fabulous deals at some of Montgomery’s best location.

Super Silent Auction

Looking for a front row parking space?!?

Bid on a Reserved Parking Space in our Super Silent Auction! Bidding starts Monday, August 19th at 8am and ends Thursday, August 22nd at 4pm.

Enter your maximum bid on the form and place it in the labeled box on the table in the front hall. The top 3 bidders will receive a reserved parking spot for the 2019-2020 school year.

*Please see additional instructions on the form you received in your PTA packet or on our FB page under files before bidding. All bids are final. Extra forms will be next to the box on the table in the front hall. Winners will be announced Friday, August 25th and must submit payment no later than Monday, August 26th.

Bear PTA News-August 8

The first week of school has started off well! The students are geared up for a great ADVENTURE this school year! 

We had a great turnout for the Boo-Hoo/Yahoo breakfast.  Parents got to mingle with one another and got to enjoy a great spread of breakfast items.  A special thank you to Angie Heilman, hospitality chair for a wonderful breakfast. Thank you to all that brought in items as well! Dunkin Donuts of Montgomery donated 150 donuts for the event as well! 

We found out today that our PTA was was recognized as a National PTA School of Excellence for 2019-2021! This is a prestigious recognition which symbolizes our incredible work as national leaders in developing strong family-school partnerships! Way to go Bear PTA! 

PTA packets, Bear Wear orders, and Summer Packets are due tomorrow. 

The next exciting event will be our annual Picnic in the Park.  Be an Explorer and bring the whole family to Vaughn Road Park on Tuesday, August 20th at 5:30.  Pack a picnic supper, gather your chairs/blankets and get ready for some fun! Remember to bring a few dollars for a Nancy Italian Ice! 

Bear PTA News-July 22

It has been busy arond Bear these last couple of weeks and will continue to be as we approach the start of the school year!

If you have stopped by Bear within the last week of so, you would of seen the new playground that was installed! The kids are going to love playing on it for years to come! Thanks again to everyone who gave $ during Penny Wars last year, the Kiwanis Club, and our PTA for funding it! 

We had a hugely success uniform resale and Bear Wear sale! Thank you to Kristen, Melanie and Brooke for all your hard work! 

Don't forget to check out Bear Exploration web-page to find many answers to questions about Bear as well as the dress code andmonogram information.  

http://www.bear.mps-al.org/for_parents/uniform_information

Upcoming Dates: 

PTA short introduction meeting and Packet stuffing-July 25 in the lunchroom at Bear from 11:00-1:00 

Come learn about all of the opportunities to get involved with the PTA! We’ll have a light lunch about 11:15am during an informal meeting, & then we’d love your help stuffing the Back to School PTA packets that everyone receives at Back to School Night. Come when you are able & leave when you need to.

Sign up here if you plan to attend: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0f4ea9a828a2fd0-informal

Bear Back to School Nights

Kindergarten Orientation -Tuesday, July 30 @ 6:15

1st grade- Tuesday, July 30 @ 5:00

2nd grade-Wednesday, July 31 @ 6:15

3rd grade-Wednesday, July 31 @ 5:00

4th grade-Thursday, August 1 @ 6:15

5th grade-Thursday, August 1 @ 5:00

First Day of School-August 6 stay for our annual Boo-Hoo/Yahoo Breakfast at 8:40

Please also plan to join us on Friday, August 9 anytime from 11am-1pm at Panera on Carter Hill Road for a PTA Volunteer Interest gathering. It's a great time for new parents to meet the PTA Board and ask more questions about how they can get involved. We'd love to have as many Board Members there as possible to make sure we are available to talk and share. 

Don't forget to have your kiddos complete the summer packet! 

https://bearexplorationpta.blogspot.com/p/summer.html?m=1&fbclid=IwAR1pPQIDOVsP3JECGkyEx5223AirN7lrNZUr5HcHfn1U1pjOHopc_3bjyVg

Join REMIND so you don't miss out on any PTA information.  Text @bearpta to 81010 to get added to the list! 

Hard to believe we are less then a month away from the 2019-2020 school year starting! 

Here are some important dates to remember: 

Uniform Resale

Receiving dates are July 17 and 18 from 10:00-2:00 

Sale dates are July 18 from 5:30 to 7:30  and July 19 from 10:00 to 1:00 (Half Price and $10 Grab Bag)

*cash, checks, and credit cards ($.50 will be added for electronic payments)*

Bear Back to School Nights

Kindergarten Orientation -Tuesday, July 30 @ 6:15

1^st grade- Tuesday, July 30 @ 5:00

2^nd grade-Wednesday, July 31 @ 6:15

3^rd grade-Wednesday, July 31 @ 5:00

4^th grade-Thursday, August 1 @ 6:15

5^th grade-Thursday, August 1 @ 5:00

PTA short introduction meeting and Packet stuffing-July 25 in the lunchroom at Bear from 11:00-1:00 

First Day of School-August 6 stay for our annual Boo-Hoo/Yahoo Breakfast at 8:40

Don't forget to have your kiddos complete the summer packet! 

https://bearexplorationpta.blogspot.com/p/summer.html?m=1&fbclid=IwAR1pPQIDOVsP3JECGkyEx5223AirN7lrNZUr5HcHfn1U1pjOHopc_3bjyVg

Join REMIND so you don't miss out on any PTA information.  Text @bearpta to 81010 to get added to the list!