Avoca Book Fair
The book Fair will take place at Avoca West from December 5^th-9^th.  The Book Fair will be available online from November 22nd – December 12th. We are still in need for volunteers.  Please contact Cathy Brown at brownfamily1327@comcast.net with any questions.  During our book fair this year, the Girl Scouts will be holding a book drive for used children books. The collection dates will be from November 28th to December 9th.

**Start putting aside those books that you can donate!**

Movie Night
You are invited to attend Avoca West Family Movie Night!

Showing: Gnomeo and Juliet (Rated G)
When: Friday, November 11th, Doors Open: 6:15, Movie Starts: 6:45
Where: Avoca West Gymnasium
Cost: $5 at door (Please make checks payable to Avoca PTC – Movie Night)

This is a family movie night so children must be accompanied by an adult.
http://avoca37.org/ptc/files/2011/10/Movie-Night-2011.pdf

SPIRIT WEAR!
Oh No! You have nothing to wear to Movie Night? Worry no more! We will be selling Spirit Wear at Movie Night! Contact Louise Dechovitz at Louise111@gmail.com or 847-980-0833 with any questions or to place an advance order. Can’t make it to Movie Night? No problem! We have a large stock of spirit wear so you can make a purchase at any time.

Cub Scouts
The upcoming pack meeting is Tuesday, November 15^th, at 6:30pm in the Avoca West North Gym.

Brownies/Girl Scouts
The upcoming meeting is Tuesday, November 15^th at 6p.m. in the ITC.  The Dec 6^th meeting will be cancelled because of the book fair. Stay tuned…there will be a special meeting in December for caroling.

Library Volunteers Needed
Susan Geidner needs one or two volunteers to help during the following time slots:

K-Rosic Fridays 12:45-1:15
K-Zebro Wednesdays 9:10-9:40
K-Kelly Mondays 9:10-9:40
K-Moran Fridays 1:15-1:45
1st – Chapko Tuesdays 1:00-2:00
1st – Nienhaus Wednesdays 1:00-2:00
1st – Hargadon Thursdays 1:00-2:00
2nd grade – Mondays 1:00-2:00
3rd grade – Wednesdays 10:30-11:30
4th grade – Tuesdays 2:00-3:00
5th grade – Fridays 8:30-9:30

Please contact Susan Geidner at geidners@avoca37.org

FAN
Please join FAN and co-sponsors for insightful presentations from Ken Ginsburg, M.D.  Dr. Ginsburg was featured in the movie “Race to Nowhere” and is part of Challenge Success.  Two programs will be offered on Thursday, November 17th:  Building Resilience in Early Childhood: It’s Not a Choice Between Happiness, Play and Success! 1-3 pm, Winnetka Community House, 620 Lincoln Ave., Winnetka
And….Authentic Success: Raising Youth to Thrive in a Challenging World, 6:30-9 pm, New Trier HS Cornog Auditorium, 7 Happ Rd., Northfield

Take a look at what is going on the months of November and December!
Topics include volunteer opportunities, upcoming events and more!! Click the following link to take a look: http://avoca37.org/ptc/files/2011/11/2011-November-December-PTC-Newsletter.pdf

Avoca West is expanding its recycling program until the end of the month, we will be collecting batteries, cell phones/pagers, computers and computer hardware, electronics, engine oil, household paint, hydraulic oil, ink/toner cartridges, metal, paper, Styrofoam, televisions, transmission fluid, and old footwear. These items, except the ink/toner cartridges and footwear, will be taken to the Northfield Township Road District. The ink/toner cartridges will be included in Avoca West’s “Funding Factory” Program. Clean used footwear will be donated to “Share Your Soles” program, a Chicagoland charity.

********Interested individuals please arrange for a drop off date by emailing Steve Brown at thesustainableway@gmail.com. *********

Please list the drop off items and estimated size of large items. Only a few families will be scheduled for recycling drop off each day since only one truck load will be taken per day, and we do not want to cause traffic problems. Steve will park his truck in the lot east of the lunch room. Drivers and walkers will drop off at this location. Steve will immediately load the items into his truck. Marie Murphy families and families not
dropping off children with their cars but live in the immediate area of the Avoca West, contact Steve for other arrangements. Those not able to meet the guidelines above including bus rider families that cannot “car pool” items with a neighbor, or they have very large items, please drop off these items at Northfield Township Road District, 1928 Lehigh Avenue, M-F, 7 -3, until Nov. 4^th

Click on the link below to learn more:

http://avoca37.org/ptc/files/2011/10/Avoca-recycling25.pdf

Box Tops

The fall Box Tops contest is underway! It’s time to search your pantry and clip Box Tops for the October 28th deadline. The classroom at each school with the most Box Tops wins a prize! We’ve had a great showing already; Marie Murphy has collected 1147, and Avoca West has collected 524!

• Place your Box Tops in Ziploc bags or sealed envelopes of 50 (or less) and be sure to write your homeroom teacher’s name on every bag so your class can get credit.
• We cannot accept expired Box Tops, so please check expiration dates carefully!

Remember, each Box Top you submit earns 10 cents for your school!

Click here for a complete list of participating products:

http://www.boxtops4education.com/earn/clip/Brands.aspx?WT.ac=UHP_PartProducts

Get your children involved, too! Help them glue or tape Box Tops on a Halloween collection sheet:

http://www.boxtops4education.com/Image.aspx?id=6641&WT.ac=FMA_BattyCollection

If you have any questions, please contact Lisa Crowe (for Marie Murphy) at lisa1@rockabilly.net or Debbie Silverstein (for Avoca West) at rdsilverstein@yahoo.com

Daisies (Kdg.-1^st) We are looking for girls in Kindergarten or 1st grade and their moms! If you are interested in becoming a Daisy or Daisy Leader, please e-mail  Alesia Wall at alesia.wall@att.net or click on the link below for access to the forms that can be dropped off at the school office. 

http://avoca37.org/ptc/files/2011/10/Daisy%20Recruitment%20letters1.pdf  

Cub Scouts

The next pack meeting is Wednesday, Oct. 26 at 6:30 p.m. in the North Gym. Please contact Cub Master Ann Sulkin with any questions at asulkin@sbcglobal.net .

Brownies/Girl Scouts Juniors (2^nd- 5^th graders)

Next meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 18^th in the ITC at 6:00 p.m. If your daughter is in brownies / girl scouts juniors and you are not receiving any emails concerning the meetings please contact Cathy Brown at brownfamily1327@comcast.net.  It is never too late to join so please stop by during any meeting!

An Evening with Wendy Mogel

Monday, October 17, 2011 7:00 pm
Am Shalom, 840 Vernon Ave., Glencoe, IL

Wendy Mogel, Ph.D., is an acclaimed clinical psychologist, parenting expert, and the author of the best-selling parenting book, The Blessing of a Skinned Knee. Her 2010 book, The Blessing of a B Minus, shows parents how to navigate the teenage years, including independence, the pressure to compete, and communication obstacles. For this presentation, Dr. Mogel will reorient us to take a long-range view toward allowing our teens to become, accept and embrace their imperfect but fully human selves. She will identify ways we can guide our teens with “leadership that is respectful of their developmental phase and their individual spirit,” helping them to become resilient, self-reliant and appreciative adults.

What Does a High-Quality Education Mean?

with Yong Zhao, Ph.D.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011 7:00 pm, Gaffney Auditorium New Trier Winnetka Campus, 385 Winnetka Ave., Winnetka , IL

Yong Zhao, Ph.D. is Presidential Chair and Associate Dean for Global Education at the University of Oregon, and author of Catching Up or Leading the Way: American Education in the Age of Globalization. Dr. Zhao spoke last spring to New Trier faculty. He will discuss American education and the implications of globalization upon it.
His research interests include educational policy, computer gaming and education, diffusion of innovations, teacher adoption of technology, computer-assisted language learning, and globalization and education. Dr. Zhao has published over 20 books and 100 articles.

Purchase your Calendar Stickers!
If your family uses a wall or paper desk calendar, then our new calendar
stickers are a must have. For only $3, you receive pre-printed stickers with all the PTC, school & district dates. To order, send an envelope to the
school with cash or check payable to Avoca PTC and a note indicating how
many sticker sets you would like, your child’s name and to which classroom
you would like them delivered. Mark “Calendar Sticker Order” on the front.

A Call for Volunteers

Interested in helping out at school?  We are to a google docs based program and ask that parents go to the following link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?hl=en_US&formkey=dFJnTmlrWVNCaTBPYlkwRVhFVEt2MlE6MQ#gid=0  and fill it out – it shouldn’t take more than 5-10 minutes.  Please contact our volunteer coordinator, Heather Hester with any concerns heathermama4@gmail.com.

We are still looking for a co-chair for Movie Night. Also, Avoca West Program Enrichment and Marie Murphy Program Enrichment are still in need of leadership. Primary responsibilities include communicating with Avoca leadership committee and AW and MM principals to identify additional programming for students (and parents). The most recent example is last year’s bullying assemblies. Please let Heather Hester know if you are interested (heathermama4@gmail.com).

Innisbrook Fundraiser

Thank you to everyone who supported the PTC by purchasing Innisbrook products. Orders will arrive at school later this month.

While our fall fundraiser has come to a close, you may purchase Innisbrook products at www.innisbrook.com year-round. Enter our school code, which is 115531, and Avoca will receive 50% of your total order in profit. You can pay by credit card and the order will ship directly to your house.

The New Families Welcoming Committee would like to thank the following
students and their parents for lending a hand with our brand new Student
Buddy Program. You made our program a real success!

Halle Cornelius, Daniel Stein, Alex Bailey, Graham Mastros, Athan Chiampas,
Sophia Lee, Noah Silverstein, Maya Szal, Isabella Quezada, Celia Goldstein,
Nykolas Rekasius, Nicolette Zawrazky, Chloe Jerva, Sierra Miller, Sam
Brodell, Josephine Yoshitani, Adelaide Jerva, Angelica Pabich, John Yasenak,
Avery Hema, Quinton Eudy, Henry Kingwill, Pearce Bailey, Sam Silverstein,
Hannah Kelly, Madison Aron, Grace Lee, Michael Vongher, Rachel Becker, Becca
Pollak, Charlotte Starr, Sam Sulkin, and Connor Hester.

Co-chairs Kathy Stein and Grainne Bailey would also like to thank the
following parents and staff members for all of their help at our New
Families events: Marija Adamonis, Ennie Oh, Denise Kamberis Kingwill,
Lourdes Cornelius, Silvia Strazzarino, Mary Patel, Heather Hester, Valia
Garbis, Stephen Starr, Cynthia Eudy, Dr. Gendel, Dr. Jauch, Mrs. Magill,
Nurse Theer, and Mary Herlinger. Thanks for helping to get our new students
off to a great start!

Innisbrook Gift Wrap Fundraiser ends October 3rd. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year and Avoca receives 50% of total sales in profit. Our goal is $20,000 but so far sales only total $9,500 so we have a long way to go. Please take a look at all of the great items in the Innisbrook catalog and enter your order on-line by Monday.

PTC Kick-Off Meeting: First PTC meeting of the school year will be held on Wednesday, October 5th at 7 PM in the Marie Murphy Community Room. This month’s agenda includes an overview of the district’s future hiring process by our Superintendent, Dr. Kevin Jauch and a review of the PTC events for the school year. Parents are always welcome at the PTC’s monthly meeting. We hope you will join us!

Brownies/Girl Scouts Juniors (2^nd- 5^th graders): Next meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 4^th in the ITC at 6:00 p.m. If you have any questions or would like to learn about how get involved please contact Cathy Brown at brownfamily1327@comcast.net.

Have you paid your $15 PTC Dues Yet? We hope you take a moment to fill out the envelope, enclose a check made out to the Avoca PTC, and mail it in or drop it off at either school office. The PTC uses these dues for author visits, assembly programs, school events, classroom events, student events, staff appreciation and more.

Calling All Volunteers! Volunteers needed to chair the following events: Art Smart Program, AW and MM Program Enrichment, Movie Night, Fun Fair and 4th grade Olympics. Co-chairs welcome!! Please contact Heather Hester heathermama4@gmail.com if you are interested in more information.

Purchase your Calendar Stickers!
If your family uses a wall or paper desk calendar, then our new calendar, then our new calendar stickers are a must have. For only $3, you receive pre-printed stickers with all the PTC, school & district dates. To order, send an envelope to the school with cash or check payable to Avoca PTC and a note indicating how many sticker sets you would like, your child’s name and to which classroom you would like them delivered. Mark “Calendar Sticker Order” on the front.

The Impact of Nutrition in Children with Special Needs Workshop: Below is a link to a flyer announcing a very interesting workshop, not just for families with special needs children but for anyone interested in childrens’ nutrition.

http://avoca37.org/ptc/files/2011/09/APS-Workshop-Flyer-10-18-11.pdf

Innisbrook Gift Wrap Fundraiser extended until Monday, October 3rd

Thank you to everyone who has placed an Innisbrook order! We still have a long way to go to reach our goal of $20,000, so the sale has been extended until October 3rd. If you haven’t already done so, please take a look at all of the beautiful gift wrap items, delicious treats and great gift ideas in the Innisbrook catalog. This is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and last year we made over $10,000 in profit for our schools.

For more information, please contact Stephen Starr at starrgraves@comcast.net.

Avoca West Chess

ADDING TUESDAYS!!!!!!

NEW!!  Tuesdays, 2:00-2:50 (K only) & 3:00 – 4:05 PM NEW!!

Thursdays, 2:00-2:50 (K only) & 3:00 – 4:05 PM.

Join us for the Fall Session!!  Tuesdays:  September 13, 20, 27, October 4, 11, 18, 25, November 1, 8, 15, 22.  Thursdays: September 15, 22, October 6, 13, 27, November 3, 10, 17, December 1, 8, 15.  Kindergarten only class (2PM) is $77.  I need a volunteer (free tuition) to manage the 2PM dismissals at 2:50 and delivery to car pick up and the buses (Kindergartners can ride the 3PM bus!). The 3 PM start classes are open to children K-5 and is $110.  Money back if you are not happy; no questions asked.  Questions? Call Bruce Haffner, at 847-987-3091 or via email at BruceHaffner@hotmail.com. 

Innisbrook Gift Wrap Fundraiser ends Monday, September 19th.  You only have 3 days left to sell for our largest fundraiser of the year. Enter your order online to see if you are one of 10 Avoca instant winners of fun prizes.  Nationally, one lucky person will win $25,000 from Innisbrook! Remember, up to 50% of our total sales go directly to our schools.  For more information, please contact Stephen Starr at starrgraves@comcast.net.

Brownies/ Girls Scouts

The first meeting is on Tuesday, September 20 at 6:00 p.m. in the ITC.  Please contact Cathy Brown at  brownfamily1327@comcast.net with any questions or to learn about how to get involved.

Cub Scouts

The first pack meeting is on Wednesday, September 21 at 6:30 p.m. in the North Gym. Please contact Cub Master Ann Sulkin with any questions at asulkin@sbcglobal.net.

New Families Coffee

New Families are invited to attend an informal coffee at the home of Grainne Bailey, 3013 Iroquois road in Wilmette on Thursday, September 22nd from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. This will be a nice opportunity to mingle with new families and get to know others in the Avoca community. Please RSVP to Grainne Bailey at grainne.bailey@gmail.com.

Picture Day

Mark your calendars!!

Avoca West’s picture day is Wednesday, September 28^th.

Marie Murphy’s picture day is Tuesday, September 27^th.

Ice Cream Social

The PTC would like to thank everyone who have helped make the ice cream social a success. Please take a moment to click on the following list of our wonderful volunteers:

http://avoca37.org/ptc/files/2011/09/2011-ice-cream-social-thank-yous.pdf

Innisbrook Gift Wrap Fundraiser
Ends Monday, September 19th.
You only have 10 days left to sell for our largest fundraiser of the year.  Enter your order online to see if you are one of 10 Avoca instant winners of fun prizes.  Nationally, one lucky person will win $25,000 from Innisbrook!  Remember, up to 50% of our total sales go directly to our schools.  For more information, please contact Stephen Starr at starrgraves@comcast.net.

Avoca West Chess

Thursdays, 2:00-2:50 p.m. (K only) & 3:00- 4:05 p.m. 

Mr. Bruce Haffner, our instructor for the last five years, is back at Avoca for another fun-filled session of after-school chess!  If you have any questions, contact Bruce Haffner, at 847-987-3091 or at BruceHaffner@hotmail.com.  First come first served!  Limit 14 for 2:00 p.m., 22 for 3:00 p.m.  Deadline for enrollment is September 12.

Cub Scouts

The first pack meeting is on Wednesday, September 21, at 6:30 p.m. in the North Gym.  Please contact Cub Master Ann Sulkin with any questions at asulkin@sbcglobal.net .

Brownies/Girls Scouts

Please note that there is a time change.  The first meeting is on Tuesday, September 20, at 6:00 p.m. in the Avoca West ITC.  Please contact Cathy Brown with any questions or to learn about how to get involved at brownfamily1327@comcast.net. 

A Call for Volunteers

Interested in helping out at school?  We are in the process of switching to a google docs based program and ask that parents go to the following link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?hl=en_US&formkey=dFJnTmlrWVNCaTBPYlkwRVhFVEt2MlE6MQ#gid=0  and fill it out – it shouldn’t take more than 5-10 minutes.  Please contact our volunteer coordinator, Heather Hester, with any concerns heathermama4@gmail.com.

Currently, we are still looking for a parent to oversee the following events:  Recycling, Pre-school Liaison, Art Smart, Outdoor Classroom, Avoca West Enrichment Program, Marie Murphy Enrichment Program, Spirit Wear, Avoca West Fall Teacher Appreciation, Avoca West Spring Teacher Appreciation, Movie Night, Avoca West Book Fair, Fun Fair and 4th grade Olympics.

Have you paid your $15 PTC Dues Yet?

We hope you take a moment to fill out the envelope, enclose a check made out to the Avoca PTC and mail it in or drop it off at either school office.

Last year, we spent over $15,000 on school gifts.  Marie Murphy was given 3 new Promethean Board sets, and the Avoca Community Preschool was presented with a die-cut machine set and electronic devices for classroom use.  Our annual operating budget is approximately $24,000.  The PTC uses this for author visits, assembly programs, school events, classroom events, student events, staff appreciation and more.

Advertise in the School Directory

Have a business to promote?  Want to wish your kids luck with the coming year, write a heartfelt note to your graduating 8th grader or anything else within reason?  Why not place an ad in the school directory?  (Please note that the directory is not intended to be used for solicitation purposes.)  The deadline for submissions if September 15.  Please feel free to contact with any personal ad or business ad requests avocaptc@gmail.com.

Getting to Know Your PTC

The PTC would like to welcome Valia Garbis to the Executive Board. Valia has three children at Avoca and one at home.  She is taking on the role previously filled by Kathy Stein as Director of Communications.  Valia will be in charge of the bi-monthly newsletter, weekly email blasts and posting to the webpage.  If you have an item you would like to communicate, send a note to dang07@yahoo.com.

A Million Thanks

Thanks to Judy Trunsky, our PTC Vice-President at Marie Murphy, and Lourdes Cornelius, our PTC Vice-President at Avoca West, for all their efforts over the summer to secure room parents for every class .  Thanks also for running the room parent meetings.

Thanks to Jennifer Pettersen for organizing & distributing pre-pack school supplies.

Ice Cream Social at Avoca West

Wednesday, September 7

5:30-7:00 pm

Time for the PTC’s annual back-to-school event! This is a great opportunity to catch up with friends, meet new families, and find out about other PTC-sponsored groups. Bring your own picnic dinner, but be sure to save room for dessert – there will be FREE Ice Cream!

A Call for Volunteers

Currently, we are looking for a parent to oversee the following events: Student Directory, Recycling, Pre-school Liaison, Art Smart, Outdoor Classroom, Avoca West Program Enrichment, Marie Murphy Program Enrichment, Spirit Wear, Avoca West Fall Teacher Appreciation, Avoca West Spring Teacher Appreciation, Movie Night, 7th grade Snowflakes, Avoca West Book Fair, Fun Fair, and 4th grade Olympics.

If you would like to chair one of these events or have any questions about volunteering, contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Heather Hester at heathermama4@gmail.com

Take a peek at all that is going on this month. Topics include New Family Informational Meeting, Boy Scouts, Brownies/Girls Scouts, and more…

Click the link below to take a look:

http://avoca37.org/ptc/files/2011/08/September-October-2011-Newsletter.pdf

Ice Cream Social at Avoca West

Wednesday, September 7

5:30-7:00 pm

Time for the PTC’s annual back-to-school event!  This is a great opportunity to catch up with friends, meet new families, and find out about other PTC-sponsored groups.  Bring your own picnic dinner, but be sure to save room for dessert – there will be FREE Ice Cream from 6:00 to 7:00 pm!

A Call for Volunteers

Currently, we are looking for a parent to oversee the following events: Student Directory, Recycling, Pre-school Liaison, Art Smart, Outdoor Classroom, Avoca West Program Enrichment, Spirit Wear, Avoca West Fall Teacher Appreciation, Avoca West Spring Teacher Appreciation, Movie Night, 7th grade Snowflakes, Avoca West Book Fair, Fun Fair, and 4th grade Olympics.

If you would like to chair one of these events or have any questions about volunteering, contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Heather Hester at heathermama4@gmail.com

Room Parents

The Avoca West room parent meeting was held on 8/23. If you were unable to attend the meeting but would like to be a room parent, please contact Lourdes Cornelius at lourdescornelius@hotmail.com

We are still looking for a few parents who would be willing to help at Marie Murphy.  Responsibilities are few and rewards are great.  Anyone interested in being a room parent for the school year – 2011-2012 – please send Judy Trunsky jtrunsky@aol.com an email with your child’s name and homeroom teacher.

Student Directory

The PTC is looking for a parent to chair the creation of the student directory. This is an invaluable resource that may be discontinued or sent out as the unformatted document we receive from the district. Please contact Heather Hester or Denise Kamberis Kingwill at avocaptc@gmail.com if you can help. Thank you for all you do.