The LuxLetter
A Publication of the Luxmanor PTA
What’s Up
This Month
November 2
No School
Professional Day
November 3-6
Eat a Rainbow Week
November 11
Early Dismissal
12:55 p.m.
Parent Conferences,
Report Cards
Distributed
November 12
Early Dismissal
12:55 p.m.
Parent Conferences,
Report Cards
Distributed
November 25
Early Dismissal
12:55 p.m.
Thanksgiving Holiday
November 26
No School
Thanksgiving Day
November 27
No School
Thanksgiving Vacation
December 1
PTA Meeting
November 2015 Issue
From the PTA President
Fall is “officially” here and the leaves are turning beautiful colors and starting to
fall. The first marking period is ending and soon report cards will be coming
home. These first months have been so busy that they have really flown by.
I would like to start off this month’s letter with a plea to our community.
The PTA is hoping to have many wonderful events for our students and our
community this year, but we can’t do it without your help. Our PTA voted on a
budget for this year that is based on the support of our families with both PTA
Membership and Direct Donations. The Luxmanor PTA does not participate
in traditional fundraising programs such as gift wrap and pizza or cookie
dough sales. Instead we rely on the Direct Donations to fund all that we do for
the students and the staff, including Supplemental Instructional Material for
Classrooms, the Back to School Picnic, Cultural Arts Assemblies, the Science
Fair, International Night, Staff Appreciation, Scholarships for Students in Need,
etc. As of now, we are not sure that we will be able to fund all of the
programs and events that we have planned for this year. We are currently at
77.8% of budget for our membership and only 57.2% of budget for direct
donations. We have hundreds of families at our amazing school, but only 62
fabulous families have contributed to our Direct Donation Campaign so far this
year.
We hope that parents who have not yet joined the PTA will do so at this time and
will consider contributing to our Direct Donation Campaign. If you have already
joined the PTA, but have not yet contributed to our Direct Donation Campaign,
you can fill out another membership form or simply send in a donation with a
note indicating it is a Direct Donation. Remember, your donation is taxdeductible! No donation is too small and every little bit will go to provide
our children with the programs and events that help make their Luxmanor
years so special.
Now, on to our events! We rolled into October with the ending of our Scholastic
New Book Fair. Tri-Chairs Stacey Cooperman, Sangita Pradhan and Sheri
Weiss did an outstanding job along with their dedicated group of volunteers in
helping our children to find some wonderful books to buy and also raising some
funds for our school. We are working with Traci Ambrosi, our Reading
Specialist, to use the funds to update all of the classroom libraries for all of the
grades!
…
The LuxLetter, Page 2
The LuxLetter
Published monthly
during the school
year by the
Luxmanor PTA
***
Principal
Ryan Forkert
Assistant Principal
David Nguyen
PTA President
Debby Orsak
PTA PresidentElect
Marcie Peters
Newsletter Editor
Meta N Awuah-Offei
Submissions
Deadline
The 20th of every
month.
E-mail submissions to
[email protected]
Or place in the
LuxLetter box in the
School Office.
All submissions are
welcome!
***
Luxmanor
Elementary School
6201 Tilden Lane
Rockville, MD 20852
PHONE:
301-230-5914
FAX:
301-230-5917
http://www.montgomerysc
hoolsmd.org/schools/luxm
anores/index.aspx
November 2015
(continued from previous page)
On Wednesday, October 7th we had a lot of children and parents participate
in International Walk to School Day. They were greeted by one of our
Health & Safety Chairs, Wendy Hookman-Vassa, who gave all walkers a
sticker to show they participated. Walkers then entered the raffle for prizes.
On Monday, October 12th, our Bake Sale Chairs, Debra Cohen and Lesley
Potash, did an amazing job coordinating and manning our Bake Sale at the
Open House. It provided visiting parents with something to munch on while
they were visiting their children’s classes.
Our Annual FAB Dads Breakfast was held on Friday, October 23rd and
Bruce Dincin, the chair of the Fathers Advisory Board (FAB), gathered
volunteers and donors to put together another successful breakfast. There
was good food and company and all of the children and dads loved getting
their customized FAB Dads Hershey kisses!
As I’m writing this, we are getting ready for our final two PTA events of
October. On Wednesday, October 28th we are having our second family night
out of the year at California Tortilla and Baskin Robbins. We’re hoping for a
big turnout to show how much Luxmanor really does tock!
Our final PTA event of October and the first quarter, is the Annual
Halloween Parade and Class Parties on Friday, October 30th. The PTA has
ordered the donut treats and water and the Room Parents have been busy
planning some great activities for the Halloween classroom parties to help
our kindergartners celebrate their first Halloween at Luxmanor, while our 5th
graders enjoy their last. I know I can’t wait to see all of the kids, and the
teachers, in their costumes as they go on parade!
Now, as we look toward November, our PTA activities will slow down, but
we kick off the month with a bang! The first week of November will be our
first Eat a Rainbow Week of the year. The kids enjoyed it so much last year,
that our Health & Safety Chairs, Cynthia King and Wendy HookmanVassa, are planning to have two this year! An informational flyer will be
coming home with the kids to explain how it all works. This is an
opportunity for our kids to try new fruits and vegetables from the different
colors of the rainbow. We’re helping them to make good food choices and
get a complete range of nutrients while making it fun!
On Thursday, November 5th, the school will receive a visit from Snowday A
Cappella Group. Our Cultural Arts Chair, Kate Bradshaw, arranged for this
program for our kids, which features a quintet creating unique music using
just their voices and no instruments! Snowday's talented singers present
upbeat songs and moving rhythms that trace the history of a cappella singing
and demonstrate how to create its harmonic partscomical introduction to
percussion with amusing demonstrations and audience participation.
…
The LuxLetter, Page 3
November 2015
(continued from previous page)
We have Parent-Teacher conferences on November 11th and 12th. These are also early release days for the kids,
and when we get our kids’ first report cards for the year.
All the best to you and your families and I wish everyone a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!
Debby Orsak, PTA President.
-x-
The LuxLetter, Page 4
November 2015
Luxmanor PTA 2015 – 2016 Direct Donation Contributors
Thank you very much to these Luxmanor Families for their donations!
Diamond Level ($200 and above)
Silver Level ($50 - $99)
The Calderon-Marukhlenko Family
The Eapen Family
The Orsak Family
The Singer Family
The Suarez-Anzorena Family
The Nozu Family
The Oshinsky Family
The Plotnick Family
The Pradhan Family
The Proger Family
The Rogers Family
The Rotton Family
The Shugart-Brzostowski Family
The Sivanesan Family
The Tanenholz Family
The Yokoi Family
Gold Level ($100 - $199)
The Bregman Family
The Chen-Huang Family
The Nekoui Family
The Oh Family
The Prince Family
The Ragheb Family
The Steinberg Family
Bronze Level (Up to $49)
The Awuah-Offei Family
The Cameron Family
The Dincin Family
The Franks Family
The Grossman-Zalowitz Family
The Hookman-Vassa Family
The Knotts Family
The Kohda Family
The Lee-Huang Family
The Manchester Family
The Ormiston Family
The Oti-Odogwu Family
The Rhein Family
The Seidmore Family
The Soares Family
The Susanto Family
The Won Family
The Yoon Family
The Zuckerman Family
Silver Level ($50 - $99)
The Balabanova Family
The Bobb Family
The Boisture Family
The Bond Family
The Ciangiulli-Levy Family
The Darnell Family
The Elliott Family
The Gadesam-Valadri Family
The Gibbs Family
The Gomez Family
The Hatada Family
The Iwamoco Family
The Kee Family
The King-Eng Family
The Koka-Johnson Family
The Lanzo Family
The Mason Family
The Mendoza Family
The Mieremet Family
The Milstein-Hoenig Family
-x-
The LuxLetter, Page 5
November 2015
The LuxLetter, Page 6
November 2015
The LuxLetter, Page 7
November 2015
Luxmanor will celebrate Eat a Rainbow Week
November 3-6 2015
EAT A RAINBOW!
Rainbows are fascinating and beautiful—not just in the sky, but also on the dining table! When we
encourage kids to "eat a rainbow" we’re helping them to make good choices and get a complete range of
nutrients without having to think too much about it.
Each day of the (four-day) week (Monday is Professional Day), we’ll assign a color for kids to eat that day.
A flyer will come home prior to the event with the specific color/day assignments. Everyone who participates will
receive a brightly colored bracelet and anyone who has four bands on Friday will receive a small prize. The real
potential prize is better lifelong health.
Eat a Rainbow Week was so popular last year that the PTA’s Health & Safety Committee is planning to
have one each semester this school year. The next one will be March 7-11, 2016.
What does it mean to eat a rainbow?
• Choosing a variety of different-colored whole foods throughout the day and week.
• The more naturally occurring colors on your plate at each meal or snack, the better.
• It does not mean making a rainbow with artificially colored foods (gummy snacks,soda, popsicles, etc.)
Why eat a rainbow?
Consuming different color foods play a role in insuring you are getting enough essential nutrients,
vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber, and more. Eating this way can help to protect against many potential
body ailments and chronic diseases such as the flu, cancers, digestive issues, declining vision, loss of bone
density, and can even help with weight management. Besides, your mood will most likely be lifted when your
plate is full of a variety of visually appealing bright colors versus covered in a dull white and plain blandness.
Brighten up your plate and you will brighten up your health!
Read on to learn more about some of the benefits of eating a variety of fruits and vegetables from the
colors of the rainbow:
…
The LuxLetter, Page 8
November 2015
(continued from previous page)
Red
Red color tomatoes contain lycopene, a red pigment that may help with protecting against breast and
prostate cancers. Tomatoes are also loaded with antioxidants from vitamins A and C to help protect against cell
damage. Leave those tomato skins on and eat raw!
In its little and plump ruby red seeds, pomegranates are packed with cancer-fighting antioxidants, and
healthful soluble fiber when you eat the entire seed.
Red beets are a good source of vitamin C for fighting the common cold, and betaine for cardiovascular
health. Beets have zero fats, are low in calories, and are a great energy booster because they are high in
carbohydrates and a natural source of sugar.
Green
The powerhouse of the dark green veggies is kale. Highly nutritious and delicious, kale greens are packed
with vitamin K, A and C, iron, and antioxidants like carotenoids and flavonoids. Kale is a fantastic plant-based
source of calcium.
Green apples contain a lot of fiber good for digestive and intestinal health, especially when eaten with
the skin on. They are low in fat and help to regulate blood sugar, which is important for individuals with
diabetes. If you have a craving for a tart, yet sweet treat, apples are hard to beat!
Orange/Yellow
Orange color vegetables like carrots contain not only vitamins like vitamin C for immune health, but
also compounds called carotenoids that aid in maintaining good vision health.
Whole or squeezed, lemons have incredible immune-boosting powers, and lemon juice is fantastic as a
digestive aid and liver cleanser. Drinking warm lemon water each morning is a great way to wake up and to flush
out toxins. What great health benefits! Lemons also contain citric acid, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium,
bioflavonoids, and pectin.
Purple/Blue
An analysis of the latest data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Study (NHANES), a
survey of eating and health habits, found that individuals who eat purple and blue fruits and vegetables have
reduced risk for both high blood pressure and low HDL cholesterol (the “good” kind); they are also less likely to
be overweight.
Scientists believe that anthocyanins, compounds that give purple foods their color, are responsible for
these boons. These compounds mop up free radicals and soothe inflammation. Currently, purple and blue foods
like blueberries, plums, purple cabbage, black currants, eggplant and purple grapes make up only 3
percent of the average American’s fruit and vegetable intake, so aim to eat more!
White
Garlic is not only extremely healthy and tastes fabulous in cooking, but it also acts as a natural health
remedy for various ailments, strengthening the immune system and is used in fighting off infections, congestion,
and the flu. Garlic is an excellent source of vitamin B6, which is needed to keep a healthy immune system and for
new cell growth.
…
The LuxLetter, Page 9
November 2015
(continued from previous page)
Try this Recipe for Rainbow Pepper Pizza!
Eat a Rainbow Week was so popular last year that the PTA’s Health &
Committee is planning to have one each semester this school year. The
one will be March 7-11 2016.
Safety
next
LUXMANOR PTA 2015-2016
Executive Board Officers
Office
President
President Elect
Vice President
Recording Secretary
Corresponding Secretary
Treasurer
MCCPTA Delegates
(2)
Diversity Chair
Office Holder
Debby Orsak
Marcie Peters
Lori Scherr
Debbie Berger
Ilene Steinberg
Rachel Singer
Wendy HookmanVassa
Rebecca Rudich
Nermine Demopolous
Phone
301-770-2289
301-770-4346
301-230-1435
301-793-0711
301-564-5111
301-564-6267
301-564-6044
Email
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
301-564-1963 [email protected]
240-888-9789 [email protected]
Committee Chairs
-x-
The LuxLetter, Page 10
November 2015
Thank you Luxmanor Families!!
The Fall New Book Fair was a success!! We were able to get a book into the hands of most if not all
Luxmanor children. We had a fun and well attended Wednesday night Read a Loud, increased sales, increased
the number of books in the classrooms and raised the profile of reading. Because of all of you, we are happy to
report that we sold over $237 more this year than last year including online sales. Given our lower enrollment
in Luxmanor this year, the increased sales are especially noteworthy. Thank you for participating!!
Your donations made a difference. Parents bought more than 150 books for classroom teachers. The PTA
donated 37 books for children in need in our community. We tried to make sure all children came home with a
book.
Summer Reading Awards were presented. The PTA also provided the five children with the highest number
of Summer Reading minutes in first through fifth grade with a book award. The award winners are Eleanor
Mieremet (5th grade), Fumihiko Kohda (4th grade-- most overall-- 8400 minutes), Aadi Gannavaram
(3rd grade), Lana Eganova (2nd grade) and John Koegel (1st grade).
The Book Fair proceeds will help our school. Our profit from the book fair will help our school with more
books and assist the PTA. Your participation makes this possible. We also hopefully made reading fun and
fostered a love of reading in our children.
Thank you to all of the teachers and staff who worked with us. Acting Principal Meiners, Assistant
Principal Nguyen and front office staff Barbara McGolrick and Lillian Flores were so helpful and encouraging.
Traci Matturo, our reading specialist, gave us all the information we needed and much support. All the
classroom teachers helped us with the class visits to the book fair. The building maintenance staff made our
jobs much easier.
Thank you to the teachers and staff who read to the children on Wednesday night: Mrs. Kaz, Mr. Nguyen,
Mrs. McGolrick, Mrs. I, Mrs. Jamieson, Mrs. Cooper, Ms. Segal, Mrs. Silverberg, Mrs. Matturo, Mrs.
Bradshaw, Ms. Kleponis. The children were delighted to see you after hours and hear you read!
Thank you to our amazing volunteers!! We could not have undertaken this book fair without you: Dee
Lucas, Beth Rivers. Abbe Milstein, Rika Granger, Stephanie Oshinsky, Kara Lewis, Dale Lewis, Marcie Peters,
Rachel Manchester, Nitsa Ford, Mary Ellen Elliott, Lori Scherr, Isabel Gay, Laurence Cameron, Kate Proger,
Yoko Komatsuzaki, Karen Greenfeld, Zoila Marroquin, Meritt Tollefson, Yumiko Yokoi, Beth Ciangiulli,
Patricia Garcia, Damaris Molano, Rebecca Rudich, Shelly Eapin, Joanne Kee, Celina Schmidt, Alexandra
Hayward, Sharon Plotnick, Giovanna Chavez, Claudia Israel, Anura Sivanesan, Jennifer Dooren, Sofia Arias,
Yolit Yospe-Kachlon, Bridget Williams-Simons, Soujanya Giambone and Maria Velez. We also had a very
helpful group of middle and high school students who earned SSL hours for their assistance. Debby Orsak and
Rachel Singer gave us guidance.
Thank you for special donations. Thank you to Jennifer Dooren for providing the milk, cookies and water for
our Wednesday night event. Thank you to Abbe Milstein and the Luxmanor Citizen's Association for donating
the balloons to decorate the gym. Thank you to Child's Play for donating a cook book for our Guessing Jar
winner.
A special thank you to Rachel Manchester, who advised us and worked beside us throughout the book fair. We
have no idea how you chaired by yourself last year!
…
The LuxLetter, Page 11
November 2015
(continued from previous page)
There were 168 items in the Guessing Jar. Just in case your children ask. Congratulations to Jeremiah in Mr.
Lakner's Fifth grade class who guessed 167 and won the contents of the jar (ugly dogs, shopkins and candy) and
a cookbook donated from Child's Play.
Thank all of you who brought in plastic bags!
See you at the Spring 2 for 1 Book Fair!! Hold the dates -- May 11-13, 2016 in the Media Center.
Sheri Steisel Weiss
Sangita Pradhan
Stacey Cooperman
Book Fair Chairs
-x-
******************************************************************
MEDIA CENTER HELP!
We are still looking for volunteers to shelve books at the Media Center.
An hour or two of your time will make a big difference.
Parents who are interested should please contact Adria Schoen at
[email protected]
****************
The LuxLetter, Page 12
November 2015
Montgomery County Planning Department 2016 Subdivision Staging Policy
The latest version of Montgomery County’s Subdivision Staging Policy (SSP - formerly called “Growth
Policy”) is being updated for review and approval by the County Council by November 15, 2016. The
Montgomery County community has been invited to be a part of the conversation to update this important
policy. The intent of the SSP is to ensure adequate public facilities infrastructure - particularly schools and
roads, associated with new development and growth. This update is an opportunity to revise the rules for our
county growth. In partnership with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and the Montgomery County
Department of Transportation, the updated policy will help to guide growth in the County for the next four
years.
Representatives from the Luxmanor PTA have attended meetings with the Montgomery County Planning
Department. The kick-off meeting for the SSP review was held on Monday, October 19th and Wendy
Hookman-Vassa has sent a more detailed outline of the issues on the Luxmanor listserv.
As a follow up to these meetings, we are pursuing the following initiatives related to the SSP.
1) Change the "school level" based test to an individual school based test at each school level for the area
impacted by the development project to account for the disparity within the cluster. Disparity rates within the
cluster have never been so large.
2) Institute a moratorium on development if any one school in the cluster hits 140% utilization.
3) Earmark a portion of the recordation tax - ideally 50% - to be dedicated to public schools.
4) Confirm that the new rules apply to all applications that were filed, but not approved, retroactive to January
1, 2016. (The council has previously enacted similar retroactive mandates.)
5) Discontinue or limit extensions to validity period on approvals for development projects.
6) Increase the impact taxes to residential developments at rates based on 100% of the costs vs. the current
90%. This will help account for land purchases that are likely needed and other operational costs.
7) Consider increasing the impact tax from 90 to100% to account for operating costs beyond construction
costs.
8) Recalculate Construction Cost index for 2015. (Current School Facility Payments are based on 60% of
Construction Cost index calculated in 2007 and increased only for inflation.)
9) Consider increasing school facility payments to 75% to account for operating costs beyond construction
costs.
We discussed the possibility of dropping the trigger level of facilities payments from 105% to 100%, but there
is a belief that change is probably not winnable, as MCPS does not plan for that level.
If you have any questions about any of this information or would like to get involved, please contact Nermine
Demopoulos, Debby Orsak or Wendy Hookman-Vassa.
-x-
The LuxLetter, Page 13
November 2015
LUXMANOR PTA 2015-2016
Executive Board Officers
Office
President
President Elect
Vice President
Recording Secretary
Corresponding Secretary
Treasurer
MCCPTA Delegates
(2)
Diversity Chair
Office Holder
Debby Orsak
Marcie Peters
Lori Scherr
Debbie Berger
Ilene Steinberg
Rachel Singer
Wendy HookmanVassa
Rebecca Rudich
Nermine Demopolous
Phone
301-770-2289
301-770-4346
301-230-1435
301-793-0711
301-564-5111
301-564-6267
301-564-6044
Email
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Chair/s
Debra Cohen
Lesley Potash
Stacey Moses
Debby Orsak
Wendy Rhein
Kate Bradshaw
Barbara McGolrick
Bruce Dincin
Robyn Rogers
Phone
301-530-6334
301-468-2922
240-753-0033
301-770-2289
404-290-1751
301-230-5914
301-230-5914
301-530-6120
301-770-5668
Ryan Forkert
VACANT
Sharon Plotnick
Michelle Raynes
Cynthia King
Wendy HookmanVassa
Nermine
Demopolous
Sheila Franks
Robert Oshinsky
Barbara McGolrick
Meta N Awuah-Offei
Debbie Corwin
301-230-5914 [email protected]
301-564-1963 [email protected]
240-888-9789 [email protected]
Committee Chairs
Committee
Bake Sales
Calendar
Cluster Representative
Community Outreach
Cultural Arts
Directory
FAB Dads
Family Disco Night/Red &
White Dance
Fifth Grade Events
Fun Fair
Geography
Bowl
Health & Safety
International Night
Kindergarten Orientation
Listserv Moderator
Luxbucks
Luxletter
Membership
301-897-7395
301-816-0676
301-828-6205
301-564-6044
Email
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
240-888-9789 [email protected]
301-231-7677
301-493-6018
301-230-5914
916-213-5337
301-881-4097
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
The LuxLetter, Page 14
New Book Fairs
Open House Popsicle Party
Room Parent Coordinator
School Supply Kits
Science Fair
Silent Auction
Spirit Wear
Square One Art
Teacher Appreciation
UNICEF Drive
Used Book Fair
Variety Show
Webmaster
November 2015
Stacey Cooperman
Sangita Pradhan
Sheri Weiss
Runaka Anderson
Debby Orsak
Cynthia King
Ashlei Lowery
VACANT
Kate Proger
Runaka Anderson
Beth Bobb
Karen Greenfeld
Wendy Rhein
Sutton Ragheb
Marc Israel
Amy Kleponis
301-255-0032
301-984-4171
301-881-2633
240-543-4531
301-770-2289
301-828-6205
210-323-2243
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
301-881-3909
240-543-4531
301-468-8940
301-881-8234
404-290-1751
301-770-4034
301-806-7043
301-230-5914
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Please let the Chairs know if you would like to help with their committee by calling
or emailing them directly. To volunteer for a vacant position, please email Debby
Orsak at [email protected].
Thank you.
******************************************
The Luxmanor Website
http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/schools/luxmanores
The Luxmanor Website is not only very informative, but also includes links to
numerous educational sites, many of which have fun and educational computer
games for kids. The Website is updated regularly. Be sure to check it out and
add it to your bookmarked sites.
The LuxLetter, Page 15
November 2015
Announcements
Luxbucks
Earn FREE CASH and Equipment for Luxmanor!
Welcome to all new and returning Luxmanor families! School will soon be in full gear, and so are the opportunities for us to help
improve the resources available to our children and teachers. Luxbucks enables us to take advantage of the programs offered by
various businesses/merchants, to that we can earn $$ for the school without spending anything extra…just as a part of our normal
daily routines… Here’s how you can participate:
Keep your eyes open for a flyer in your child’s backpack, fill it out, and I will take care of registering for you at Giant,
Safeway, Harris Teeter and Bloom OR:
1. Register your Giant BonusCard in the A+ BonusBucks Program and designate Luxmanor, School Code 0725. This
program earns CASH to the school. To register on-line go to www.giantfood.com (select A+ Bonus Bucks, Designate Schools).
Last year we earned over $8,000 with this program! EVEN IF YOU REGISTERED LAST YEAR YOU MUST REGISTER
AGAIN THIS YEAR!
2. Register your Safeway Club Card for their Education program and designate Luxmanor, School Code 6531272. AGAIN,
even if you registered last year. YOU MUST RE-REGISTER and DESIGNATE LUXMANOR AGAIN THIS YEAR. To
register go on-line to www.escrip.com. The web site will walk you through the steps to either renew your designation or register
for the first time.
3. Register your Harris Teeter card with me. Send me your VIP number on the back of your store card along with your last
name. I will be glad to key into their website. We earned almost $500 this past year with 57 active cards. I know there must be
more active people to add to our earnings. Everyone must re-register their VIP card every year.
4. Clip/Send General Mills “Box Tops for Education” logos from MANY participating products. Each logo earns 10 cents.
Besides General Mills products, some of the other products are Avery labels, Betty Crocker, Nature Valley, Pillsbury, Yoplait,
Cottonelle, Viva, Poise, Hefty Ziploc, to name a few. Before you send the Kleenex box to your child’s teacher, take off the
labels.
5. On-line shopping, visit Onecause.com and link to some of your favorite stores. Choose Luxmanor to receive on-line
rebate. At least 400 participating merchants will donate a percentage (up to 30%) to Luxmanor.
6. Bloom grocery store now has program to earn school products. So if you forward to me your Bloom number on the back of
your store card along with your last name, I will be glad to key into their website. I know there must be more active people to
add to our earnings. I can’t be the only Luxmanor person who shops at Bloom.
7. Use your Target VISA Card, or apply for one. If you find yourself shopping at Target more these days, this would be a
great time to open a Target account. Target will give us 1% of in store charges and ½ percent anywhere else you use your card.
Apply at www.Target.com or at the store.
This year, with your participation, we have the opportunity again to bring great results. The key is for each family to
register/collect, get the kids involved, and get relatives, friends, co-workers and neighbors to help too! This means free cash for
our school. It’s free. No cost to you! Nothing to sell! Nothing to buy! It’s like recycling … if we don’t do it, we are wasting
valuable resources. We are going to buy stuff anyway, so let’s make it count!
Please call Barbara McGolrick at 301-230-5914 if you have any questions. Thanks for your enthusiastic support and cooperation!
The LuxLetter, Page 16
November 2015
November Notes from your Counselor
Gloria Silverberg
Our Friendship Groups are in full swing now, meeting over lunch to address social skills and friendship needs.
For our Banana Splits groups, we address the concerns of living in a changing family through divorce or loss.
The children love these groups and it is an excellent opportunity to practice new skills and share with each
other.
A very large part of your children’s education involves the acquisition of social and emotional intelligence
skills which they will hopefully use for the rest of their lives. Friendships can be very fluid throughout the
childhood years, so the important thing is for our children to learn how to make and keep friends. This is a skill
that is easier for some than for others, but one that can be acquired with observation and practice. A great tool
for practicing friendship skills is to have children role-play social situations with them.
I have included a wonderful resource book, titled The Unwritten Rules of Friendship, by Elman and KennedyMoore about how to help children navigate friendships. This book addresses every type of personality, giving
excellent advice for all children in making and keeping friends. Another great children’s book about Friendship
is “Making Friends is an Art” by Julia Cook.
Social Skills For Children
1. Give Him the Words and the Praise
Demonstrate and role play social skills with your child. Include skills such as maintaining eye contact, no
interrupting, to using kind language.
2.
Teach Group Dynamics
Teach children to stand near 2 people you might be interested in meeting who are talking to each other.
Look at them but just listen to see if you are interested in joining in with them. Notice if they look at you,
because that invites you to join in their conversation. If they do not make eye contact, they probably want to
remain alone.
3. Be a Play Date Observer
Talk to your child about what makes someone a good friend, and what are friendship breaking behaviors.
Coach your child on how to behave during a play date…say hello, don’t interrupt, say please and thank
you. Parents who effectively coach their children intervene in the setting where and when the skill is
required.
4. Work Together with your Child’s Teacher
Ask your child’s teacher if she can pair up students to work together.
5. Friendships Start at Home
Try inviting 1 or 2 friends to your home to do something your child enjoys. Plan some special outings with
other children and their families.
6. Create Special Moments
Plan 15 minutes of quality time with your child several times each week. Do fun things together, without
directing or criticizing him/her. Building a relationship with your child pays off in terms of friendships.
…
The LuxLetter, Page 17
November 2015
(continued from previous page)
Research has shown that when parents work on relationship building at home, they see better behavior in a
child’s peer relationships immediately.
7. Find His/Her Passion
Find out what your child prefers….team sports or solo activities. Team sports and group activities can
teach your child skills that can encourage friendships off the field.
8. Be a Role Model
When you make friends with other parents, have family over to dinner, and get involved in PTA or other
group activities, you are teaching your child about social skills.
9. Deflect Teasing
Good social skills can fend off bullying. The most effective technique for deflecting teasing is to use humor.
Role play humorous comebacks to peers who tease your child. Never tease back, but you can use
techniques like “Boohoo, So what?, And your point is?, or Whatever.”
10. Enroll in a Social Skills Program
Sign up your child for a social skills program outside of school or talk with your school counselor to seek out
friendship Groups and Social Skills Activities
-x-
The LuxLetter, Page 18
November 2015
2015-2016 Luxmanor PTA
School Calendar
2015
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
28
31
Open House, 2:00 - 2:45 p.m.
Popsicle Party, 2:45 p.m.
First Day of School
3
7
8
11
14
16
16
17
22
23
28-30
30
Back to School Night, 7:00 p.m.
No School - Labor Day
PTA Meeting & Volunteer Fair, 7:30 p.m.
Back to School Picnic, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
No School – Rosh Hashanah
Parents Meet & Greet Breakfast
Silver Diner “Run the Diner” Night
ESOL Back to School Night, 7:00 p.m.
Room Parent Orientation, 9:30 a.m.
No School – Yom Kippur
New Book Fair
Teacher Read Aloud
1-2
2
7
9
12
16
23
28
30
30
New Book Fair
Early Dismissal, 12:55 p.m.
International Walk to School Day
Fall School Picture Day
MCPS Open House & PTA Bake Sale
No School, MSEA Convention
FAB Dads Breakfast, 7:45 a.m.
California Tortilla/Baskin Robbins Night
Halloween Parties and Parade, 2:00 p.m.
1st Marking Period Ends
2
11
No School, Professional Day
Early Dismissal, 12:55 p.m. - Parent
Conferences, Report Cards Distributed
Early Dismissal, 12:55 p.m. - Parent
Conferences, Report Cards Distributed
Early Dismissal, 12:55 p.m., Thanksgiving
Holiday
No School - Thanksgiving Day
No School – Thanksgiving Vacation
12
25
26
27
Dec.
2016
Jan.
1
14
18
22
25
28
No School – Winter Break
Science Fair, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
No School - Martin Luther King Day
2nd Marking Period Ends
No School – Professional Day
Science Fair (Snow Date), 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Feb.
5
3
5
12
15
23-24
26
PTA Meeting, 7:30 p.m.
Report Cards Distributed
Red & White Dance, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Valentine’s Day Parties, 2:15 p.m.
No School – Presidents’ Day
Geography Bowl
Early Dismissal, 12:55 p.m.
Mar.
11
15-16
18
23
24
25-31
International Night, 7-9:00 p.m.
Used Book Fair
Silent Auction (Tentative), 7:30 – 11:00 p.m.
3rd Marking Period Ends
No School – Professional Day
No School – Spring Break
Apr.
1
14
14
18
20
25
26
27
28
29
No School – Spring Break
Report Cards Distributed
Variety Show Act Approval, 3:30 p.m.
Variety Show Rehearsal, 3:30 p.m.
Variety Show Rehearsal, 3:30 p.m.
Variety Show Rehearsal, 3:30 p.m.
No School, Primary Elections
Variety Show Rehearsal, 3:30 p.m.
Variety Show Dress Rehearsal, 3:30 p.m.
Variety Show, 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
May
3
4
10
11-13
18
22
30
PTA Meeting, 7:30 p.m.
Staff Appreciation Luncheon
5th Grade Class Picture, 1:45 p.m.
2-for-1 Book Fair
Silver Diner “Run the Diner” Night
Spring Fun Fair, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
No School - Memorial Day
June
7
16
PTA General Meeting/Elections, 7:30 p.m.
5th Grade Promotion Ceremony, Clap Out
and Party
Early Dismissal, 12:55 p.m. - Last Day of
School
Report Cards Mailed
1
PTA Meeting
10
Staff Appreciation Luncheon
24-31 No School – Winter Break
17
27