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BOBCAT BEAT
A Monthly PTA Publication
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A Message from the Principal
By Dr. April Williams
Principal of Oak Forest Elementary School
Welcome to 2017, OFE!
I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday break. Half of the school year is already behind us! I want to take a moment again to thank all of our families and staff
who
donated to the Toy Drive for our local Fire Department. They were definitely thrilled to be able to pass on some joy to those in need. On behalf of myself and the OFE teachers and staff, I would also like to extend a huge thank you for the thoughtful gifts and treats. We definitely appreciate them all! If you haven't seen our newly painted library or foyer, be sure to stop by and check it out - they both look great! Today your student will bring home a gift from us: a book! The OFE Book Bond will start this week, and I am excited to see all the great things that Mrs. Hunt has in store for us. Be sure to take this journey along with us as we bond together through reading.
As we move into the last semester of the 2016-2017 school year, please continue to stay in contact with your child's teacher. A healthy relationship between home and school allows students to thrive in their educational environment. Please also take note of the friendly reminders below:
- Uniforms should be worn every day, except Wednesdays (sports/college/OFE shirt) and Fridays (sports/college/OFE shirt). Ripped jeans, jeggings, leggings and athletic shorts are not proper uniform attire.
- If your child forgets his or her lunch, know that they will be provided a lunch. Please do not make a habit of dropping lunch to the front office every day for your child. It is very difficult for our clerks to leave their positions to deliver lunches. I do understand that mornings are rushed and sometimes we forget.
- Students are not allowed to be picked up after 2:30 p.m. No student will be called to wait in the office for their parent to arrive early. We must always ensure safety above all else. Students will be called to the office only when their parent (or designated ride) arrives.
- Avoid delays and traffic by taking advantage of dropping your students early. They are welcome in the building at 7:00 a.m. daily.
- School dismisses at 3:15 p.m. daily. Any student not picked up by 3:45 will be sent to After 3.
- Have your child in school every day and on time. Teachers pick their students up at 7:50 a.m. and instruction begins promptly at 7:55 a.m. As of Monday, we have lost $35,756.69 due to absent students. Attendance counts!
I am looking forward to another wonderful semester at OFE. Thank you for all you do in helping us ensure the best education for your children.
Dr. Williams
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Important January Dates to Remember
January 16 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday
January 19 -
Chipotle Spirit Night,
3:30-8 p.m.
January 25 - Early Dismissal
January 27 - Kona Ice Truck, 3-5 p.m.
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Putting on the Ritz: 2017 PTA Auction
The 2017 Silent and Live Auction will be held on Friday, March 3, 2017, at 7 p.m. at SPJST Lodge 88 (1435 Beall St.). The auction is OFE's biggest fundraiser of the year, benefiting student enrichment, leadership programs and technology enhancements, and will include dinner, live music by Breakfast at Tiffany's and is a BYOB Adult-only event!
Want to help?
Save the Date
Plan to join us for an evening of fun on March 3.
Watch for a Living Tree announcement when ticket sales are available.
Become a Sponsor
Donate an Item
Please consider donating an item to the auction. Remember to fill out the Auction Donation Form and send it along with any items (such as gift cards) to the front desk at school. If your donation is a large item that your student can't carry, please email us at [email protected] and we will arrange for pickup.
Host a Social
Gather up your friends and host a social for parents or students. Examples of past socials include a rollerskating party for second
graders, a zumba class with dinner, a ladies weekend, dinner for 10 prepared by a professional chef, etc. Please fill out the Auction Social Form and email it to
[email protected], or leave it at the front desk
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Volunteer
Look for volunteer opportunities via Living Tree. Questions? Contact the Auction Committee.
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Nominate a Texas PTA Life Member
By Courtney Gaydosik and Catlin Harlow - PTA Membership Chairs
Nominations for Texas Life Membership are now being accepted.
The Honorary Texas PTA Life Membership is one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon an individual by the Texas PTA for outstanding contributions to the well-being of children and youth.
If you would like to nominate a teacher, staff member, parent or a member of our community, please send the individual's name and describe why the person should receive this award, in an email to Courtney Gaydosik, Membership Committee Chair, [email protected]. The deadline for submissions is Thursday, January 26.
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Healthy Kids Gearing Up for an Action-Packed Semester
By Kathleen Orr and Robin Day - PTA Healthy Kid Chairs
The Healthy Kids Committee is gearing up for a semester of sharing healthy recipes, Healthy Kids Week (
February 20-25) and triathlon training. Save the date: The Houston Texans Kids Triathlon is
May 20-21. You can find
detailed Kids Triathlon information here. More info on Team Oak Forest training to come!
Our first recipe is shared by the LeMaster Family. Their favorite thing about this recipe is that not only is it delicious; it requires just one bowl.
Ingredients:
- 3 medium ripe bananas
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- 3 Tbsp grape seed or coconut oil, melted
- 1/4 cup organic cane sugar
- 1/4 cup packed organic brown sugar
- 2-3 Tbsp honey, depending on ripeness of bananas (or sub maple syrup)
- 3.5 tsp baking powder
- 3/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 3/4 cup unsweetened almond or dairy milk
- 1 1/4 cup almond meal
- 1 1/4 cup gluten free flour blend
- 1 1/4 cup gluten free oats
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper.
- Mash banana in a large bowl. Add all ingredients through almond milk and whisk vigorously to combine. Then add almond meal, gluten free flour blend and oats, and stir.
- Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes. When ready, it should feel firm and be crackly and golden brown on top.
Do you want to share a favorite recipe with your fellow Bobcats? Email
[email protected].
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In Memoriam: Mrs. Flanery
By Julie Osterman - PTA Third VP of Communications
The Oak Forest community is saddened by the loss of Vicki Acker Cave Flanery, a beloved substitute teacher at Oak Forest Elementary and the grandmother of two fifth grade OFE students. Known for her warm smile and welcoming personality, Mrs. Flanery was a favorite sub for many students, and she was admired and appreciated by teachers and staff.
OFE's Tiffany DeWalt-Osborne remembers Mrs. Flanery fondly as both a colleague at Oak Forest and as a student in Mrs. Flanery's class at Booker T. Washington High School.
"Mrs. Vicki (Cave) Flanery was a remarkable person and educator," DeWalt-Osborne said. "She saw the best of and in her students even when they didn't always see it in themselves. Her stern demeanor yet gentle approach allowed for her to connect with young people in transformative ways. As with many remarkably dedicated educators, you do not always see the fruits of their labor immediately. Moreover, you see the return on her educational investment in the legacy created through the impact on the lives of all those she touched. Although she is gone too soon, she will never be forgotten."
A family friend of Mrs. Flanery, OFE parent Mandie Eichenlaub recalls that she always had a smile and a hug to greet you, and a charm that drew you in. "It was impossible not to love her," she said. "My daughter Lillie saw her almost as her own grandmother. I am sure she made most of the kids feel that way."
The memorial for Mrs. Flanery will take place at SPJST Lodge 88 (1435 Beall St, Houston, TX 77008) on Sunday, January 29, 2017 at 2 p.m.
Anyone who knew and loved her is welcome to the Celebration of Life. Guests are encouraged to wear festive colors and are invited to write down and bring their favorite memories and prints of any pictures to place in a memory box for the family. "We plan to dance well into the nigh
t as Vicki would have loved," Mrs. Flanery's son-in-law Glenn Ferrell posted in an open invitation. "Thank you for joining us to celebrate her life in the manner appropriate to the way she lived: with gratitude, an open heart and ready to dance."
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PALS Corner
By Jennifer Brown - School Counselor
The PALS helped spread holiday cheer across Oak Forest Elementary with a surprise for our much-deserving administration, office staff, nurse, librarian, cafeteria workers, custodians and support staff. The PALS performed Christmas songs, dances and skits while wearing their Santa hats. Each staff member also received a bucket full of home-baked goodies prepared by the PALS themselves. We hope everyone had an amazing holiday season with family and friends.
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Treasurer's Corner
 By Theresa Velasquez - PTA Treasurer
Did you know that the PTA is expected to donate $4,464 to the library this month? All proceeds from the Book Fair go right back to the library and with these funds, Mrs. Hunt can fill the library with books that are enticing to read. Library time seems to be an all-time favorite for all of our Bobcats, so thank you for taking the time to stop by the Fall Book Fair!
Be on the look out for our Spring Book Fair, starting on April 17; it is also a great opportunity to volunteer an hour of your time at our great school!
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December Teachers of the Week
_______________________________________________________________________
Mrs. Dillard
Special Education
Congratulations to our Teacher of the Week, Mrs. Dillard. Mrs. Dillard exudes what an OFE teacher is all about. She goes above-and-beyond with supporting our campus teachers and students with co-teaching to ensure success for all. We are lucky to have her. Thank you. Mrs. Dillard, for all you do. Keep up the great work!
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Mr. Warren
5th Grade
Join us in congratulating our Teacher of the Week, Mr. Warren. Mr. Warren goes above-and-beyond in making a difference in his students' lives by motivating students to develop their higher-level thinking skills. He is a great influence on our campus and we are lucky to have him. Thank you, Mr. Warren, for all you do. Keep up the great work.
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A Big Shout Out to Pink's Pizza on Shepherd!
By Jessica Kirklin and Laura Tilley - PTA Teacher Appreciation Chairs
The Teacher Appreciation Committee is thankful to Ken from Pink's Pizza on Shepherd Drive,
who is graciously donating pizza for a Super Bowl themed lunch for our wonderful teachers
on
January 25
. We are so grateful for his generosity and the yummy pizza he will be providing. Teachers, mark your calendars - we know you won't want to miss this one! And PTA members, be sure to thank Ken the next time you're picking up a Pink's pizza for your family.
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Gillian Smart and Andrew Kilner have two boys, and their oldest, Brayden, is a Kindergartner at OFE this year. Younger brother, Lucas, is 4 years old and will join him
in two years. Gillian is originally from Scotland and Andrew is from Australia, but they have lived in Houston for more than 10 years and their boys are Texans by birth.
They chose to move to Oak Forest because they like that it has a neighborhood feel, while also being close to the city. Oak Forest Elementary was an easy choice for their sons. "We love that it is close to where we live," Smart explained. "It makes it feel like even more of a neighborhood."
Since starting Kindergarten,
Brayden has been excited about everything he is learning at OFE, and he enjoys playing Legos and soccer in his free time. When not trying to keep up with his big brother, Lucas likes playing with cars. As new OFE parents, Gillian and Andrew have appreciated the staff and other parents who work hard to make everyone feel comfortable and informed. "It is such a nice environment for kids to be in every day," Smart said. They joined the PTA to support the school, get involved in school activities and feel like part of the community.
If you would like to join the Smart-Kilner family in the
PTA
, you can become a member and find ways to volunteer your time and talents at
www.oakforestpta.com
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Box Tops for Education
By Joan Dwyer and Beth Caldwell - Box Tops Committee Chairs
Stay tuned for the December and January Box Tops news in the next issue. Until then, keep on clipping!
Reminder: When you submit Box Tops, please check the expiration date.
Use the "10 to Win" raffle ticket below to submit your box tops. Additional copies can be found on the PTA website:
www.oakforestpta.com
. Your box tops submissions can be turned into your teacher, or you can drop them in the blue basket located by the bench in the school office foyer. It is helpful to submit your box tops in groups of 10 in a Ziplock bag or envelope for easy counting by our volunteers. And don't forget to put your full name and classroom on your bag or envelope so your student can be entered into the drawing.
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OFE
Box Tops for
Education
"Ten to Win"
Raffle Ticket
Just attach 10 to be added to our monthly drawings Hint: Box tops can be placed in a ziplock bag or envelope and stapled to the form. |
Student's name: ___________________
Home Room Teacher Name:__________________________
Pod:____________
Grade:_____
Entry Date:__________________
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Available for OFE Box Tops Raffle
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