Oyster Creek Elementary PTA
Monthly Newsletter - September 2016
Welcome Back!
The OCE PTA is a team of amazing families, teachers and community members, including you! Your membership is your voice!
As of September 14th we have 133 members for 2016/2017. *Membership is good for one year.
What Does The OCE PTA Do?
Just some of the other contributions the PTA has made are: provide a planner for every OCE student in 1st—5th grade, pay for field trips, host the Blue Jay Fest, compile the yearbook, provide treats for the teachers, Family Craft Night and Movie Night and purchased the rock-wall for the gym!
The "Fun Run" is Just Around The Corner!
This year's "Fun Run" will kick-off on November 1, 2016 with a student pep-rally, followed by 8 days of lessons leading up to the actual run. The run will take place on November 10th. Pledges will be available per lap (max 36) or for a flat donation amount. Look for more information as we get closer to the kick-off!
Mark Your Calendar!
School Picnic - Saturday, September 17, 2016, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Bring your picnic and blankets and enjoy OCEs outdoor area with family with snow cones! Meet other OCE families and students.
Fall School Picture Day - September 20, 2016
OCE Spirit Night at Sonic Drive In at HWY 6 and W. Airport -Wednesday, September 21, 2016, 5 pm to 8pm
Ft. Bend Fair Day - No School - September 23, 2016
OCE Spirit Night at Whataburger on HWY 6 near Old Richmond -Tuesday, September 27, 2016, 5pm to 8pm
Custodial Staff Day - September 30, 2016
Walk to School Day - October 5, 2016
*See Safety Tips!
Parent/Teacher Conferences - Early Release - October 14, 2016
Safety Tip - Walking To and From School
- Plan a walking route to school or the bus stop. Choose the most direct way with the fewest street crossings and, if possible, with intersections that have crossing guards.
- Walk the route with your child beforehand. Tell him or her to stay away from parks, vacant lots, fields and other places where there aren't many people around.
- Teach your child to cross at designated crosswalks at intersections.
- Mind all traffic signals and/or the crossing guard -- never cross the street against a light, even if you don't see any traffic coming.
- Be sure your child walks to and from school with a sibling, friend, or neighbor.
Child Predators/Strangers
- Teach your child never to talk to strangers or accept rides or gifts from strangers. Remember, a stranger is anyone you or your children don't know well or don't trust.
- Teach your child that if a stranger tries to take them away, they should quickly get away and yell, “This person is trying to take me away,” or “This person is not my father/mother/guardian.”
- Teach your child that if a stranger tries to grab them, they must make a scene and make every effort to get away by kicking, punching, screaming, and resisting.
- Children should be taught to never leave school with anyone they do not know. They must always CHECK FIRST with you or another trusted adult. If anyone tells them there is an emergency and they want your child to go with them, your child must always CHECK FIRST with you or another trusted adult before doing anything.
- Make sure to teach your child to tell their teacher or another trusted adult if they notice a stranger hanging around the school.
STEM Project Idea - Egg Drop Challenge
STEM is a curriculum based on the idea of educating students in four specific disciplines — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — in an interdisciplinary and applied approach.
Have you heard of the Egg Drop Challenge? The challenge is to create a container that will protect an egg from breaking from a high fall. You can make this challenge as simple or complex as you want depending on the amount of time you have and the ages of kids taking part. It’s always one of the most memorable experiences for students each year!
Materials for the Egg Drop Challenge (You can pretty much use any materials you want!)
Some Materials You Could Use:
Toilet paper rolls, Newspaper, Shoebox, Popsicle sticks, Tape, Rubberbands, Plastic bag, String, Balloons, and Packing peanuts.
Instructions:
1.Design and make a container to protect an egg from a high fall.
2.Build your container and place the egg inside.
3.Drop the egg from somewhere high. (Be sure it’s safe and an adult is present.)
4. After you drop it look and see if your egg cracked or remained intact. (Remember to wash hands after touching raw egg!)
Tips:
- Try dropping the egg from increasing heights. Does it eventually stop working?
- If your initial design did not work, redesign it and try to improve it. Can you get it work the next time?
- Fill a box with a large amount of materials that could be used for this project. Then allow each child to only choose 3 items from the box to build their design.
For more information and pictures visit: http://buggyandbuddy.com/egg-drop-challenge-free-planning-printable-2014/
Membership and Volunteering
Becoming a member does not require you to volunteer,
however some volunteer opportunities are:
VIPS room helper (cutting, laminating, sorting etc.)
Teacher classroom help (ask child's teacher)
Take home help (ask child's teacher)
Back to school teacher lunch, Lunchroom helper, Recess helper, Reading in the classroom, Classroom parties, Evening programs and events, taking photos for yearbook, Shared Dreams Coordinator and so much more!
Please, look for the volunteer form sent home in your child/children's take home
folders or email us at ocevips@gmail.com
*All volunteers will need to complete and pass a yearly FBISD background check found athttp://www.fortbendisd.com/parents
Meet Your 2016 - 2017 Board Members!
President - Sasha Udengaard
1st VP & Programs - Vacant (Let us Know if You're Interested!)
2nd VP & Fundraising - Sassy Hernandez
3rd VP & Membership - Jennifer Verdehem
Treasurer - Margie Oyedepo
Secretary - Francine Burke
Volunteer Coordinator - Inken Cradic
Communications - Alicia Breaux
Garden - The Breaux Family