Barksdale Named Best Elementary by Texas Monthly

Texas Monthly magazine has recently named Barksdale Elementary School as one of the Best Elementary School in the State of Texas. You can see the listing compiled by National Center for Educational Accountability (formerly Just for the Kids) here.

Read the article in the Texas Monthly here.

Brown Bag Lunch: Fitness Basics at Barksdale

Barksdale PTA Presents a Brown Bag Lunch Featuring…Barksdale Coach Cheryl Kool

Please join us in the Barksdale library on Wednesday, December 5, from 11:30am-12:30pm for a brown bag lunch with our coach.

Got fitness questions? Like…what does my child do in PE? How do the new state regulations affect our school program? What is this new PE report card? How are the heart monitors used?

Coach Kool has the answers! Come join us for informal back-and-forth conversation as we discuss helping our kids learn to live in a healthy and balanced manner.

We look forward to seeing everyone! If you have any questions about this program, please contact Karen Dibble, First Vice-President - Programs, by email or by calling (972) 403-1813.

School Entry

To protect the safety of our students we are opening the north facing gym doors at
7:15 am every school day. Only bus riders should enter the gym by the blue south door. All students will be supervised by staff and stay in the gym until the 7:30 bell. Students standing at the front doors are also encouraged to go to the gym.

All parents and visitors should enter the school through the front entrance before during and after school. Thank you for helping keep your children safe.

PTA Life Member Nominations Due Nov. 16, 2007

Please submit the name of a parent and/or faculty member you would like to nominate and the reason why you think they deserve this high honor, including some of the contributions the individual has made working on behalf on the children. Your nominations will be kept confidential (seen only by small committee consists of Membership Chairman, Principal and PTA President).

Send nominations your nominations to Denise Stavely, Membership Chairman by email or by USPS mail to 3800 Ellington Drive, Plano, TX 75093. You may also leave your submission in a sealed envelope in the Membership folder in the PTA workroom.

FINAL DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION IS FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2007

The Life Members will be announced at the Life Member Awards and PTA Board Luncheon on Tuesday, December 18, 2007.

Science Fair Information

If you have misplaced your Science Fair information and form, you can download them here.

Sally Foster and Cookie Dough Pick-Up on 11/13

Mark your calendar on November 13: It’s your Sally Foster and Cookie Dough Pick-Up Day. If you are not able to come on this day, please make arrangements for a friend to pick up your order for you.

The pick-up time is between 2:30 and 6:30 p.m.

Due to storage limitations and the perishability of the cookie dough, we will not be able to hold your items for you beyond this date.

Please contact Cindy Yablonsky, Gift Wrap Chairman, with any questions.

Brown Bag Lunch: Building Your Child's Social Skills

Please join us in the Barksdale library on Monday, November 12. We will have a brief PTA General Meeting from 11:00 - 11:30 a.m., followed by a brown bag lunch with our counselor, Mrs. Brennan, from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Come join us for informal back-and-forth conversation as we discuss helping our kids learn and practice successful social skills.

Please contact Karen Dibble, First Vice-President - Programs, if you have any questions.

Partnership Opportunities

The PTA is in the process of communicating with potential partners and have developed several specific opportunities for local businesses to support critical programs for our children. Perhaps your Business could be a partner! The following opportunities are available:

Year-Long: Weekly PTA E-Newsletter & Website

A weekly e-bulletin is distributed to approximately 600 Barksdale parents to communicate the weekly activities at Barksdale. Include your Company Name at the bottom of the bulletin as well as on our Website!

  • Sponsorship Opportunity: $2,000 for the year or $200 per month

February 14: Friendship Party and Doughnuts With Special Persons

Your organization will enjoy signage touting your generous sponsorship and brochures can be placed at the serving stations. Plus you will be mentioned in publicity leading up to the event and immediately following the event.

  • Sponsorship Fee: $450

April 11: Spring Picnic

This event is to celebrate successes of the year, treasured friendships, and of course, the cornerstone of it all – families!

  • Sponsorship Opportunities include: DJ $700 or Bounce Houses $500

April 25: Grandparents Day

Your organization will be recognized in collateral materials. You will have the opportunity to meet and greet the grand-guests and parents as they gather around to get their pictures taken.

  • Sponsorship Fee: $700

May 16: Field Day Several opportunities for your organization may be found here! Your organization may:

  • Sponsor the giant inflatables, the most popular attraction at the event - Fee: $350
  • Sponsor the snacks, where students will enjoy a cool treat or an energy booster - Fee: $450

Feel free to contact Lisa Raskin, Third Vice-President - Ways & Means, if you are interested in being a Barksdale Partner or with any questions.

Barksdale Elementary PTA is a 501(3)c organization.  Contributions are fully tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Round-up Newsletter: November 1 Edition

Read the November 1 Edition of Round-up.