Our PTA Executive Committee has a few open positions for the 2019/2020 school year. We need you! Before you jump on board, you may be curious about these roles and for what each position is responsible. We are here to help! Our outgoing Exec Committee members have made personal videos to give you a glimpse into what their position entails. Check out the videos in the link below to see if the position might be a good fit for you or someone you know! Contact olivepta@gmail.com with any questions.

Link to videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKIe1Q3P4tkZPydOoKS7H0A

Link to nomination form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfDsHeECvHi7J7XTeiZy0U_NfKU6PTpC4cAP8uEuLutEFuXDQ/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1

Calling all Owls and their families: Ecology Club is excited to announce that Earth Fair will be on April 16 this year, from 6:30PM-8:00PM. As always, we’ll have lots of fun games including the ever-popular Trash to Treasure, crafts and a chance to meet folks from local organizations that are committed to our eco-friendly cause.

This event is open to the community so feel free to spread the word to friends and neighbors.

Join us for a night of fun!

Please read the introduction and description below, and reach out to OMS PTA at olivepta@gmail.com if you are interested in working on one of these committees.

We have had an interest and request for the development of a committee that could help new first grade families transition into OMS with ease. Believe it or not, OMS has a large population of first graders that attended another school in the area for kindergarten, so these students and families are coming to the school brand new. We would like to start a committee that could help these kids and families get to know each other and the community, so they feel right at home when starting school.

Mentoring/First Grade:

• In early April/May, committee should meet to discuss play date dates for June, July, and August and work with OMS office staff to reach out to incoming first grade families.
• Establish an email list from the interest form completed by the parents. Communicate with incoming first grade families reminding them about upcoming play dates and offer to answer any questions that they might have.
• Coordinate approximately 3-4 play dates.
• Write an article for the Twig

Please read the introduction and description below, and reach out to OMS PTA at olivepta@gmail.com if you are interested in working on one of these committees.

OMS is a welcoming school, with a diverse population of students and families from a variety of backgrounds, experiences and cultures. We would like to celebrate our diversity and have a committee in place to reflect and support our efforts to be cognizant of diversity and inclusion. There is already a Diversity and Inclusion Initiative through the National PTA, so we will follow the guidelines and standards set forth as our road map as we develop this committee.

Diversity Committee:
• As a member of the National PTA, the Diversity Committee will follow the guidelines set forth in the National PTA Diversity and Inclusion Policy.¹
• Work to support the diverse needs of the community and differences that distinguish people, including, but not limited to, gender, race/ethnicity, mental, emotional, psychological and physical disabilities; learning styles; geographic residence; languages used; cultural heritage; and educational level.²
• Address inclusion by reaching out to people, engaging them in ways that address their needs and perspectives, and encouraging all families to become actively involved in PTA activities and membership.²
• Write articles for the Twig promoting the Diversity Committee.

¹More information on the National PTA Diversity and Inclusion Policy can be found here: https://www.pta.org/home/run-your-pta/Diversity-Inclusion-Toolkit/leadership-tips-and-tools/National-PTA-Diversity-and-Inclusion-Policy

²https://www.pta.org/home/run-your-pta/Diversity-Inclusion-Toolkit/leadership-tips-and-tools/Diversity-and-Inclusion-Initiatives-Frequently-Asked-Questions

Save the Date: 2nd & 3rd Grade Activity Night is Thursday, March 7 (6:30-7:30pm), featuring a fun scientist who will perform entertaining experiments during his show “Getting Excited about Science”. More info here: https://getscience.net

The event is free and no pre-registration is required. Students need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Unfortunately, due to size limitations siblings are not permitted, so please plan accordingly.

The Arlington Heights Council of PTAs has created TWO different scholarships that provide opportunities for and graduating senior students. Below are the links for each of the scholarship applications. Please note, all applications are due on or before March 3, 2019 at 11:59 PM.

SD25 Achievement Scholarship Application (Application is for graduating high school seniors)

SD25 Power of Courage Scholarship Application (Application is for graduating high school seniors)

This scholarship is open to any student who spent 3 years in a District 25 school, with a minimum 3.0 (on a 5.0 scale) who plans on attending a post-secondary school as a full or part time student. Applications are reviewed anonymously and recipients are selected on the basis of efforts in the classroom, school and community involvement.

If you have any questions, please email Ann Williams.

Contact us

AHPTACouncil@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/AHCPTA/
http://www.ILPTA-D37.org
http://www.IllinoisPTA.org
http://www.PTA.org

Committee Chair Open Positions
Do you have a special talent? Or do you have an interest in one of the committees at OMS? Well, we need you! We are currently filling open positions for Committee Chairs. Each committee requires at least two co-chairs to lead the committee. The current number needed is indicated in parenthesis by each title. Take a look a the list below, and if something catches your eye, check out the Procedure Guide at the bottom of the post to get a detailed description of the committee and position. If you are interested in a specific committee or have any questions, please email olivepta@gmail.com and let us know!

• Camp Fit (2)
• Conference Dinner (1)
• Ecology Club (1)
• First Aid for Little People (2)
• Hospitality (1)
• Liaison – Thomas (1)
• Liaison – South (1)
• New Family Mentoring (2)
• 5th Grade Committee (2)
• Scholarship (1)
• School Supplies (1)
• Trivia Night (1)

Procedure Guide Link: https://omspta.files.wordpress.com/2018/08/2018procedureguide.pdf

The World of Work program provides our 5th grade students an opportunity for ‘real world’ work experience through partnerships with local businesses. We are looking for a few more volunteers to chaperone this event. You do not have to have a child in 5th grade to chaperone!

Email olivepta@gmail.com if interested!

Rescheduled Dates From Polar Vortex
Due to the severe weather conditions last week, the PTA, in conjunction with OMS Administration, unfortunately had to cancel a few events. Below are the next dates and/or rescheduled dates for the following events:

• Chess Club – Tuesday, February 19, 3:45 p.m.
• Art Club – Tuesday, February 26, 3:45 p.m.
• STEAM Night – Wednesday, April 3, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Mark your calendars for our PTA’s Council Celebration of all SD25 Students who participated in the “Heroes Around Me” Reflections Art Program!

You are invited to join us on Wednesday, February 6th, at Windsor Elementary School in the Commons to celebrate creativity and recognize local students!

Please RSVP via the following link – https://goo.gl/forms/nTfPsiSy92jH94RP2

We look forward to seeing everyone on Feb 6th at 7 p.m.  Please note, artwork will be on display and certificates will be handed out starting at 7:15 p.m. Students are welcome to take their artwork home with them at the end of the evening.

As part of our Everybody Counts initiative, The Owl Way Committee has invited U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey medalist Brody Roybal to share his story with students. Brody’s positivity, kindness, talent and perseverance are sure to be inspirational! Students will have the opportunity to ask questions and of course: admire those Paralympic medals Brody won with the U.S.Paralympic Sled Hockey Team in Sochi (2014) and PyeongChang (2018).

We are looking for an individual (or individuals) to help sort, organize and help find homes for the overflowing lost and found. The school has asked for our assistance to help these lost items find their home. Ideally we would have someone now (February) get started to decrease the overflow, and then again someone near the end of the year (May) prior to school ending for the summer.

Let us know and send an email to olivepta@gmail.com if you think you (and maybe a friend or two) are interested in helping our lost items become found!

Excess funds suggestions are accepted now until April 5. Complete the form here!

Hi, I’m Molly Siegel, an Olive parent and fitness and health enthusiast. I am a personal trainer and group fitness instructor. I am known for my positivity and growth mindset. I love working with people and encouraging my clients and group class participants to live their best lives.

I’m looking forward to sharing my fitness story and sharing my forever growing knowledge about health and all things fitness. I’ll share tips that have helped me throughout the years and offer recommendations of programs, books and podcasts that I find inspirational. Please come with questions!

PTA meeting is Thursday, February 7th, in the OMS Commons. Meeting starts at 7 p.m. and speaker presentation follows general business meeting. All are welcome. Please feel free to email olivepta@gmail.com with questions.

No receipt is too small! If you are holding onto receipts for your committee activities, don’t wait! Get reimbursed today. You can submit receipts and check request forms to olivetreasurer@gmail.com, put them in the PTA mailbox or bring them to the February PTA meeting.

If your committee’s plans for the year have changed and you need to adjust your budget, please let Sarah Van Huis know no later than January 31. A budget amendment will be presented at the February PTA meeting.

Continue reading →

Congratulations to the Reflections participants who have moved on to Region! All Reflections pieces moved from Local Council. 14 pieces have moved on to Region! We will keep you posted on those that move on to State.
Congratulations to the following Region participants:

• Adelaide Galla – Visual Art, World of Heroes
  
• Charlotte DeRosa – Literature, True Heroes
  
• Vivienne DeRosa – Literature, Heros Every Day
  
• Devin Joseph – Literature, Heroes Around Me: Book 2 of Silliness and Laughs
  
• Varun Joshi – Literature, Hurricane Matthew
  
• Vivienne DeRosa – Photo, Not Just Play
  
• Madelyn Eidle – Photo, My Hero, Annie
  
• Laina Halley – Photo, In the Shadows of the Heroes
  
• Serena Joseph – Photo, Saving Zebras
  
• Vivienne DeRosa – Film, Real Friends
  
• Charlotte DeRosa – Dance, Be a Believer
  
• Vivienne DeRosa – Dance, We Are All Warriors
  
• Vivienne DeRosa – Music, Heroes Every Day
  
• Carson Holt – Music, Infinity War

Come join us Thursday, February 7th for the first PTA meeting of 2019! Our Nominating Committee will be voted in and we will also have a guest speaker, fitness expert and trainer, Molly Siegel (who also happens to be an Olive parent)!

Meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the OMS Commons, and all are welcome.

Help us welcome our littlest Owls and their families at Kindergarten Registration on January 23 from 4 pm to 6:45 pm.

Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F044AADAE22A02-kindergarten

Olive Mary Stitt PTA is seeking nominations for officers to serve for the 2019-2020 school year. Executive positions for nomination include:

• Co-President
• 1st Vice President
• 2nd Vice President (Ways & Means)
• Treasurer
• Secretary

Each term is for two years.

If you or someone you know is interested in serving Olive Mary Stitt in one of the above positions, please complete this nomination form.

You may also complete this form to submit nominations.

Time to put OMS Parents to the test! Who will be the smartest of them all? Join us for Trivia Night on Saturday, February 2nd to find out! The ADULT-ONLY evening will include a generous raffle table, brain-busting trivia, and prizes. There will be a cash bar and you may bring your own food, decorations and tableware. You are also encouraged to dress up and decorate your table in your favorite theme, whether it be sports, television show, movie, or decade! This is optional, but there will be a prize for the best theme table! Grab your team of 8, pick your team name and register today! Deadline is Friday, January 18, but SPACE IS LIMITED.

This event is SOLD OUT!

Just to keep everyone in the loop, Skating Night will be moved to April 25th, 2019. We are in the process of securing a location, so stay tuned!

It’s 2019 so you know what that means…. It’s almost time for our February Box Tops for Education Challenge!

The challenge will run from Monday, February 11th
thru Friday, February 15th.

Each box top turned in means 10¢ for our school. I know that doesn’t seem like a lot but they add up fast! In October we earned over $500!

Please send in all non-expired, trimmed box tops, with your child, to school anytime during that week. There will be a bag in each room for collection. The top class in K-2 and 3-5 will get to choose a prize.

Any questions – please contact Gina Groberski

Join us for the January session of Art Club! We have an exciting project planned so plan to get messy and creative!

Sign-up link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeZiQ4wHXNTWtfHx1P-LU0JWh8rOJPnnWhToqpFgFvmt5UamA/viewform?usp=sf_link

Dear Parents: just a reminder – here are the planned “no school” days:

• Monday, January 21st – Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday
  
• Monday, February 18th – President’s Day
  
• Thursday, March 21st – Parent Teacher Conferences
  
• Friday, March 22nd – Parent Teacher Conferences
  
• March 25-29th – Spring Break
  

Do you want to be part of the team that welcomes our littlest Owls? Then step up to co-chair the 2019/2020 Kindergarten Mentoring Committee! The description is below. Contact olivepta@gmail.com if interested.

Mentoring/Kindergarten:

• In early January, committee should meet to discuss upcoming Incoming Kindergarten registration that is usually the 1st week of February. Discuss playdate dates for May, June, July, and August, class t-shirt order and any other business. Develop forms for the February meeting to be included in all the packets (sign up form and class t-shirt order form). Talk to the school office about making a brief presentation at the meeting in February to welcome.
• Establish an email list from the interest form completed by the parents. Communicate with incoming Kindergarten families reminding them about upcoming playdates, screening days, and form due dates, and offer to answer any questions that they might have.
• Design a class t-shirt with the incoming class year on it. Find a place to get the t-shirts and coordinate the order.
• Coordinate approximately 4 playdates.

Mark your calendars for our PTA’s Council Celebration of all SD25 Students who participated in the “Heroes Around Me” Reflections Art Program!

You are invited to join us on Wednesday, January 30th February 6th*, to celebrate creativity and recognize local students!

*Due to weather concerns, this event has been postponed until Wednesday, February 6th at Windsor Elementary School in the Commons.
Please RSVP via the following link – https://goo.gl/forms/nTfPsiSy92jH94RP2

We look forward to seeing everyone on Jan 30th @ 7 PM! Feb 6th at 7 p.m.  Please note, artwork will be on display and certificates will be handed out starting at 7:15 p.m. Students are welcome to take their artwork home with them at the end of the evening.

For those of you who ordered class photos, please know that there was an error in printing and we had to have them all reprinted. They should be arriving soon.

Thank you for your patience.

Support the AHC-PTA Scholarship Fund!

The Arlington Heights Council of PTAs (AHCPTAs) together with its nine school Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) in School District 25 (SD25), uses donations and the money it raises each year to help college-bound local seniors pay for college-related costs. Scholarships are available to worthy students through an application and blind selection process. The amount of scholarships awarded each year depends solely on the amount received through local sponsorships and the support of our SD25 PTAs. Donations $500 or greater will receive an invitation to the Scholarship Award Event.

Donations are tax deductible! ACHPTAs is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Thank you for your generosity. Every donation helps give the gift of education!

Link to donation page: https://sd25.revtrak.net/PTA/AH-Council-Of-PTAs/?fbclid=IwAR2GB6AejWfRpCeFs8uAsES_D3Y9GGcGLV_tDGLNcnqGsFIZfkZ6PYxcCM4