It's December! How did we get here so quickly? 2020 is literally right around the corner! We know a lot of you have been busy with holiday shops, gingerbread house building, gathering gifts for staff, and so much more! This month is a time to reflect on what a wonderful community we have within LPS and how special it truly is! I always say, "It takes a village . . . and a PTA!"

So Happy Holidays to all the units, staff, and LPS leaders! We hope you enjoy your well deserved break! We'll see you in 2020!!

In 2019 I really started to focus on self-care. Kind of a buzz word these days but to me it entailed adding mediation to my day. Of course, like all of us I am busy so I didn't do it everyday, I didn't do it at the same time everyday but I included it when I could and I really loved it. One of the things I have learned through mediation is the value of gratitude. I am grateful for having the time to volunteer in PTA, both at the council level and the school level. I am grateful for all of you, who volunteer your time to PTA and to your schools. Know that you are appreciated and thanked, even if nobody says it to your face. Make sure to take time this holiday season to feel gratitude and to practice self care even when you are so busy running the holiday shop, waiting for parents to pick up their fundraiser orders, going to another class party or trying to fill out Founders Day nominee forms. Have a great winter break and smile!!

Kellie Dummer

Livonia PTSA Council President

Last week I had the pleasure of volunteering to help with Hayes' Holiday Shop. They were low on volunteers and were looking for help. I'm no stranger to Holiday Shops, but their PTA had a nice organized system for their shop. Every student was personally attended to, from shopping to wrapping. It's always fun to see what elementary students will pick out for their family members. I mean, who wouldn't want soda pop putty? Right?

I have to share a great experience I had with a student while I was there. A 3rd grade student told me right off the bat their her little brother has Autism and that "it wasn't a bad thing, that he just learns differently", and that I probably wouldn't understand. I then shared with her that my son is also on the Autism Spectrum, and she quickly announced that we were now best friends! She was so happy to have someone who understood her choices for her brother, and I was happy to make a new friend!

So, I would like to give a PTA Shout Out to the Hayes PTA Board for continuing to push through their Holiday Shop even with fewer volunteers then expected. Giving those students an opportunity to shop for their families brought them such joy! THAT is a wonderful example of what a PTA does.

Thank you for allowing me to volunteer and help and for gaining a new best friend!

Andrea Malenfant

LPTSA Council Newsletter Chair

Congratulations to our 5 LPS units for qualifying for Michigan PTA's October/November membership challenge: BATTER UP, SINGLE! Terrific Teachers & Super Support Staff in PTA/PTSA ! The challenge was to gain at least 15 certified teachers and/or support staff as members of your unit between August and November 28th.

Coolidge PTA

Churchill PTSA

Holmes PTSA

Kennedy PTA

Niji-Iro PTSA

Well done! Keep up the good work!

The 6th Annual Chili Cook Off will be here before we know it! We encourage all units to have participants from their school! It's a good time to remind families about this great event! We recommend encouraging them to try out their recipes at upcoming family parties, potlucks, and holiday get togethers! Who better to try out recipes than family and friends! It also gives them time to tweak their recipes to perfection!

Remember, all Dads and Designated SuperStars (D.A.D.S.) who are members of their local unit are welcome to participate and enter their chili! Please be sure to stress this to families. All members are welcome to compete! The 1st place winner will receive a prize package and a $500 grant for their home school courtesy of the Livonia Kiwanis Early Risers!

Remember, DO Apparel will be making special Chili Cook Off T-shirts for those who register before January 7th! Please be sure to announce this as well! We can only guarantee shirts for those who register before the 7th. Flyers and entry forms were sent to all unit Presidents, so get them in!

We are proud of our LPS students who participated in Reflections this year. Our final total was 161 entries (yay!), and they are now being evaluated by our judges.

Please join us for our annual awards ceremony on Thursday, January 30th at Stevenson High School. The gallery reception will start at 6:30 p.m. and the awards ceremony will start at 7:00 p.m.

Debbie Yates

Council Reflections Chair

If you are a PTA officer or committee chair, please make sure to join our page for important information, discussions, and more! A lot of great info is shared on this closed group page. It's also a great way to network with other units, share ideas, and ask for help.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/541318689333449/