President's Message
Sara Miller - Marshdale PTA President  |  Email:  saramiller1@comcast.net

It's almost Halloween.  The last part of October and November/December will fly by, and before we know it Holiday Break will be here.  PTA has a busy roster of events planned for the coming weeks.  Stay tuned for updates on all of the fun events on the PTA website.

Halloween Parties - The costume parade and individual Halloween classroom parties will take place on Wednesday, October 31.  For more information contact your room parents or Wendy Thurman at claywendy@gmail.com.

Movie Night - The next PTA movie night is schedule for Friday, November 9.  The movie is the hilarious 2011 version of The Muppets.  The doors open at 6 p.m. and the movie will start at 6:30 p.m.  Tickets are $1 for all ages and will be sold at the door.  Questions?  Contact Cathie Nicholson at cathie.nicholson7@gmail.com.

General Membership Meeting - PTA hosted a General Membership meeting on Wednesady, October 17.  In addition to reports from PTA officers, Pricipal Kay Moser gave a report on Marshdale's upcoming Unified Improvement Plan (UIP) and we heard a presentation from Sarah Hays, the BrainWise instructor who is working with Marshdale students on every Wednesday.

Marshdale Student of the Month
PTA and the Marshdale staff are sponsoring a Student of the Month program this year.  Students are selected by their teachers each month.  Selection is based upon academic achievement and improvement and good citizenship/character.  Our Student-of-the-Month celebration assembly is on Wednesday, October 24 from 6:30-7:15 p.m.  If you have any questions contact Allison Dickson at alliern1@yahoo.com.

Fundraising Update

Party boards are back so jump in and join the fun.  A party board is a where you throw a party and the profits from your party come back to Marshdale.  We will be showcasing these at our November 30th Winter Carnival.  They are a great way to meet people, socialize and raise money for Marshdale.  Need an idea, go get our idea sheet from our website or pick one up at school or contact Lynn Westfall  ynnwestfall@gmail.com    303-587-1506.


Fence Signs!  A big thank you goes out to our awesome fence sign installers.  Dan Griffin, Mike Sims, Jeff Sobzack and Mathew Merrion.  We still have lots of fence to fill so if you know any businesses who want to advertise on our fence contact lynnwestfall@gmail.com.

Social Update
Winter Carnival!  Winter Carnival is on Friday, November 30th from 6-8:30 p.m. at Marshdale.  Make sure to mark your calendars for a fun evening filled with games, carnival rides, festive holiday treats and great shopping opportunities from local artisan in our holiday boutique. Parents and kids are sure to have fun!

President's Message
Sara Miller - Marshdale PTA President  |  Email:  saramiller1@comcast.net

Happy fall!  The leaves are changing, our nights are getting cooler and we've officially welcomed the first day of autumn.  PTA has lots of updates to give you after a successful first month of school:

Catalog Fundraiser - Many thanks to all who ordered from the ABC Catalog fundraiser.  PTA raised over $8,000 thanks to your efforts.  Order pick-up will begin after school on Tuesday, October 16.  For more information contact Kirsten Hollander at kirsten.hollander@gmail.com.

General Membership Meeting - Our first PTA General Membership meeting was Tuesday, September 18 at 6:30 p.m.  *  We approved the 2012-13 PTA Budget and heard committee updates from each of our officers.
*  After a report from Principal Kay Moser about Marshdale's school performance framework, we were treated to a demonstration of SmartBoard technology by teachers Barb Grindle and Charlie McCarthy. 
*  We also heard information about the 3A/3B Ballot Initiative on the November ballot.  Representatives Kristin Wheatley and Tammy Story presented from Citizens for Jeffco Schools and Sheila Atwell presented from Jeffco Students First.  I would encourage each of you to visit the websites, read the attached information about how 3A/3B will affect Marshdale and educate yourselves about the upcoming vote.
*  Mark your calendars!  Our next general membership meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 17 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Marshdale Student of the Month
PTA and the Marshdale staff are sponsoring a Student of the Month program this year.  Students are selected by their teachers each month.  Selection is based upon academic achievement and improvement and good citizenship/character.  Our first Student-of-the-Month celebration assembly is on Wednesday, September 26 from 6:30-7:15 p.m.  If you have any questions contact Allison Dickson at alliern1@yahoo.com.

Spirit Wear
If you ordered Marshdale Spirit Wear, orders will be in this Friday (9/28) and sent home with your child. If you have any questions contact Lynn Westfall lynnwestfall@gmail.com or 303-587-1506.

Reflections
It's time to pull out your pens, cameras and paints to participate in this year's Reflections Contest.  This year's theme is "The Magic of a  Moment."  Turn-in date is Tuesday, October 16 from 3:45-5 p.m.  Please click here for more information, rules and entry forms.

Yearbook
We need photos for the 2012-13 Marshdale Yearbook. Click here to find out how you can help.  Contact Mary Haugrud at milehighhaugrud@hotmail.com if you have questions or want to get invovled.

Early Release Day
This Friday (September 28) is an Early Release Day.  School ends at 1:05 p.m. and buses will run at that time.  Evergreen Parks and Recreation is offering a Mad Science after-school program at Marshdale on all early release days this year.  Click here to download the flyer with more information.

Sara Miller - Marshdale PTA President  |  Email: saramiller1@comcast.net

Welcome back to Marshdale!  We hope that everyone is having a great first week and the kids are settling in to their new classroom routines.  We started the week with the New Parent Breakfast on August 20th.  The PTA board welcomed almost 20 new families to Marshdale this year.  It was a wonderful chance to introduce these parents to the Marshdale community and programs.  We received lots of new ideas for ways to improve PTA and the school as a whole.  It was thrilling to see these new families feeling as though they already have a voice in the their school.  And isn't that what PTA is all about?  Every child, One voice.

As you are completing your last minute paperwork this week, please consider filling out that PTA Membership form you will find in your child's Friday folder.  PTA raises valuable funds for Marshdale, plans exciting activities for our students, and offers a forum for all of us to have a voice in shaping our children's educaiton.  We hope you will become part of the conversation by joining PTA.

IMPORTANT DATES
*   August 28 - Back-to-School/Curriculum Night
*   August 30 - Fall Fundraiser Kickoff Assembly (2:30 p.m.)

Back-to-School/Curriculum Night:
Parents are invited to attend the back-to-school (a.k.a. curriculum night) on Tuesday, August 28.  You will have chance to visit your child's classroom(s) and hear from teacher(s) about this year's curriculum schedule and academic
expectations.

Fall Fundraiser:
Once again our fall fundraiser will provide students and families with the opportunity to order items from the ABC Fundraising Catalog.  The sale will kickoff on Thursday, August 30 with a student assembly at 2:30 p.m.  Click here to take a look at this year's catalog.  Stay tuned for sale deadlines and more.

SHOW your Marshdale SPIRIT!!  We are taking orders for Spirit wear on the PTA website.  The sale ends at midnight on September 4th.  Don't miss out.  Visit the homepage and click on the photo of the Marshdale t-shirts to place your order.

We have a variety of before and after-school enrichment opportunities schedule for your students during the fall semester.  PTA is sponsoring many new clubs and classes this year including Karate, Art, Jazz Dance, Marshdale Singers, and more.  Please read the brochure in your student's Friday Folder with instructions on how to register for each class.  Contact Julie Sims, our VP of Education, at

Once again, Evergreen Parks and Recreation will be offering four after-school classes.  Please read the EPRD flyer on your student's Friday Folder this week and visit the EPRD website to register for these classes.

Kay Moser - Marshdale Interim Principal  |  Voice Mail:  303-983-5159  |  Email: emoser@jeffco.k12.co.us

Dear Marshdale Parents and School Community,

On behalf of the Marshdale staff, I welcome you to a new school year! As we begin this year, please remember that this is your school and we welcome your involvement and presence. Administrators and teachers everywhere recognize the important contributions parents and community make toward a child’s success in schools. There is no question about it – success at school begins at home.

One of the most important components of a good school is the partnership between the school and the parents and community who work together for the best interest of children. The close partnership between home and school is one of the exceptional strengths of Marshdale Elementary.

Marshdale has a strong tradition of supportive, involved parents. Throughout this year parents have the opportunity to develop that partnership in a wide variety of ways. Parents and community members can join the PTA, volunteer in the classroom, become a Watch Dog Dad, and attend the Marshdale Accountability Committee. These are all opportunities that let your child know that his or her school is very important.

We continue to thank the PTA for providing resources that not only enhance the educational program but appeal to the aesthetics of the building. Take a look at the “terrace with a view” and checkout the new window blinds PTA so graciously provided.

The staff and I are very excited to greet you and your child at the Ice Cream Social sponsored by the PTA on August 17th from 4 to 6 p.m. This will be a wonderful opportunity to bring school supplies, meet your child’s teachers and socialize over ice cream.

If you have any question, please do not hesitate to call. I look forward to working with you and your child throughout the school year to provide a productive and safe learning environment that supports student success.

Sincerely,
Kay Moser, Principal

Sara Miller - Marshdale PTA President  |  Email: saramiller1@comcast.net

Welcome back to Marshdale.  I hope you all enjoyed a relaxing summer and spent loads of quality family time. It's hard to believe that school starts next week (August 20, 2012).  This year, PTA has an extremely dedicated Board and an incredible group of volunteers.  We have lots of events and opportunities planned for students and parents for 2012-2013.  There are ALWAYS opportunities to volunteer, so please check out our updated PTA calendar and the "Get Involved" page to find opportunities to put your talents to work for the betterment of our children's school environment. I'm looking forward to meeting many of you and your students in the coming weeks. 

We are especially focused on excellent communication throughout this school year.  There are many ways to find out more about what's going on with PTA:
*  Please consider subscribing to this weekly newsletter.  You can choose to have it sent via email, and it will be the best source of weekly updates on PTA events.
*  Visit our website (www.marshdalepta.org) frequently as we are always adding new content.
*  Check out the PTA bulletin board outside the Marshdale Office.  This will change each month and have reminders, announcements and general PTA information.

It's important to note that communication goes two ways.  We will do our best to keep you informed about PTA happenings, AND we look forward to hearing from you.  Our PTA is only as strong as our members and volunteers.  For this reason, we are looking forward to your input.  Please feel free to email me anytime with ideas or suggestions about making Marshdale PTA better.  You can reach me at saramiller1@comcast.net.

NEW WEBSITE 
Check out the new website at www.marshdalepta.org and find all the thing you need to know about Marshdale PTA and Marshdale Elementary School.

Features of the site include:
*   Current school calendar
*   School Information and Important Documents
*   News from Marshdale section (to which you may choose to subscribe to receive all the latest updates direct to your email in-box.)

We are constantly adding content, so check back frequently for additions. Want something added to the site? Click on this link to send us suggestions and/or content and we'll do our best to get it up.  And, since this is a new undertaking, we'd love your feedback so that this useful tool is a user-friendly for parents and teachers alike.

IMPORTANT DATES
*   August 17 - Ice Cream Social/Meet-and-Greet (4-6 p.m.)
*   August 20 - First day of school (School starts at 8:55 a.m.)
*   August 20 - New Parent Breakfast (9-10 a.m. in the cafeteria)
*   August 28 - Back-to-School/Curriculum Night
*   August 30 - Fall Fundraiser Kickoff Assembly (2:30 p.m.)

Ice Cream Social/Meet-and-Greet:
Join us for on Friday, August 17th from 4-6 p.m.  This is a chance to meet your teacher, drop off registration documents and deliver your school supplies to your classrooms.  Then stop by the cafeteria and the gym for some yummy ice cream, courtesy of PTA, and an activities fair with lots of information about ways you and your student can enrich their Marshdale experience this year.

New Parent Breakfast:
All families new to Marsdale are invited to join PTA and new principal, Kay Moser, for the New Parent Breakfast on the first day of school.  Join us in the cafeteria at from 9-10 a.m. to learn more about your school and your PTA.  It will also be a great chance to meet other new families at the school.

Back-to-School/Curriculum Night:
Parents are invited to attend the back-to-school (a.k.a. curriculum night) on Tuesday, August 28.  You will have a chance to visit your child's classroom(s) and hear from teacher(s) about this year's curriculum schedule and academic expectations.

Fall Fundraiser:
Once again our fall fundraiser will provide students and families with the opportunity to order items from the ABC Fundraising Catalog.  The sale will kickoff on Thursday, August 30 with a student assembly at 2:30 p.m.  Click here to take a look at this year's catalog.  Stay tuned for sale deadlines and more.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
PTA is looking for volunteers.  Please contact Sara Miller (saramiller1@comcast.net) if you are interested in any of our current openings:

Volunteer Coordinator:
The volunteer coordinator recruits and manages volunteers for various PTA events. Volunteer coordinator will communicate with PTA Board to determine volunteer needs.  The coordinator will manage the team of parent volunteers and assist with matching volunteers with appropriate PTA needs.  Coordinator will spend 1-2 hours/week.

Grant Writing Coordinator:
The grant writing coordinator will assist the PTA with grant writing efforts. When a PTA is interested in applying for outside funds to help implement a PTA project, the grant writer will assist with preparing the grant submission and oversee a small committee to look for sources of funding and to writing the proposal.  Coordinator will spend 2-3 hours/week.

Event Volunteers:
We have a variety of other ways in which you can volunteer to help PTA.  Only have a few spare hours/month?  We can use your time and expertise.  Want to lead a PTA project or event?  Start volunteering now so that you can learn the ropes and get more involved with PTA and Marshdale.

Lynn Westfall - Marshdale PTA VP of Fundraising  | Email: lynnwestfall@gmail.com

Welcome back to school (almost). I am looking forward to making our Fundraising FUN this year.  So far we have been very busy already.  We are well underway selling signs on our Fence.  If you interested or know someone who is contact me ASAP, the space is filling up fast!!  

SHOW your Marshdale SPIRIT!!  We will be taking orders for Spirit wear at our PTA website starting on 8/17 through September 4th. 

Julie McCabe will be collecting box tops again with some new & FUN ideas so start clipping now!! It’s a free and FUN way to get money to our school!  

Kirsten Hollander will be running our catalogue fundraiser once again like last year, look for more information to come. 

I am looking forward to giving back to some needy charities this year as well.  To make Fundraising FUN I can use ideas, volunteers and feedback so email or call me at lynnwestfall@gmail.com or 303-587-1506. Lynn Westfall, VP of
Fundraising.