 Teacher Spotlight- Kersten Ficke 2nd Grade Teacher
Our teacher for the Spotlight in October is Kersten Ficke, 2nd Grade Teacher. We asked Ms. Ficke the following:
Newsletter: Ms. Ficke, please give our OFE Family your Top 5 Favorite Halloween movies of all time.
Ms. Ficke:
1) "Hocus Pocus" - the absolute BEST Halloween movie EVER. I won't even honor a discussion of other options.
2) "The Nightmare Before Christmas" - good all the way until December!
3) "Beetlejuice" - Mostly for the fantastic soundtrack...ok, completely for "Shake, Senora."
4) "Casper" -This may be due to my childhood crush on Devon Sawa
5) "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" - such a classic!
Thank you Ms. Ficke!
Suggestions for a future month's Teacher spotlight? Email the editors Kirk or Emily Zihlman at
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 OFE Program Spotlight
On the OFE PTA communications survey, you said you wanted to know more about what's happening during your kids' school days. Look for more stories on programs and happenings at Oak Forest Elementary in the months to come.
If you haven't already heard your kids talking about Ms. Paccasassi, then you may have caught some of the news programs recently about HISD's partnership with the Sonima Foundation, a non-profit bringing health and wellness best practices to schools and communities.
In partnership with the Houston Independent School District (HISD), Sonima Health and Wellness programs will be offered at 12 HISD schools. Oak Forest was lucky enough to be one of these schools and Ms. Paccasassi has been hard at work since the start of the school year.
For the rest of this story visit: http://www.oakforestpta.com/oak-forest-101/current-happenings/
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10 TIPS for Packing a Healthy Lunch
for Kids or Adults
By Joey Hunter & Sandra Cruz
2014-2015 Healthy Kid Committee Chairs
1. Nutritious home-packed lunches start in the supermarket. Use the Nutrition Facts label to
help choose healthy foods. Compare nutrient levels for similar foods. Select those lower in
fat, sodium, and sugar.
2. Limit cheese on sandwiches and choose low fat or fat-free varieties. Most cheeses are high in calcium, but also contain lots of saturated fat. Low-fat alternatives contain 3 grams of fat or less per ounce.
3. Choose lean meats. Chicken, turkey, lean ham, low-fat lunch meats, and tuna packed in water are healthy choices for protein-packed meals.
4. Include at least one serving of fruit. Fruits make a sweet and nutritious contribution to lunch. They are generally rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, fiber and water. In addition to apples, oranges or bananas, try pears, sliced melon, applesauce, grapes or pineapple. Prepare fruit in various ways - whole, sliced or cubed with yogurt.
5. Use vegetables creatively. Garnish your sandwich with spinach, sprouts, grated carrots or tomatoes instead of just lettuce. Pack a salad and put dressing in a separate container. Cut peppers or cucumber into bite-sized pieces for dipping in low-fat sauce.
6. Make sandwiches with whole grain bread instead of white bread. Choose breads that list whole wheat as the first ingredient. They're loaded with fiber, B vitamins and iron. If the main flour listed on the label is wheat or unbleached wheat flour, the product is not whole grain. If your child doesn't usually eat whole grain bread, try making a sandwich with whole grain slice paired with a slice of white.
7. Limit snack foods and baked treats. Baked goods can be high in sugar and saturated fat. Snack foods may be high in fat and salt. Unbuttered popcorn and pretzels can be good alternatives. Be aware that low-fat baked goods can contain high amounts of sugars.
8. Choose 1% or fat-free milk. Milk is a great source of calcium and a healthy alternative to soda. Other calcium-rich choices include non- fat yogurt, low-fat chocolate milk and calcium-fortified juices.
9. Select 100% juice, not juice drinks. Juice drinks are mostly water and sugar, and low in nutrients. A better choice is 100% juice or blends of 100% juice.
10. Packing nutritious lunches can be a fun family affair. Encourage your child to develop creativity and good decision-making skills. The end result will be a happier child eating a more nutritious lunch, lower in fat, sugar and salt than prepackaged and fast food lunches.
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Environment Committee
By Nancy Greig & Merin Noonan
2014-2015 Environment Committee Chairs
Wildly successful "Barn-raising" (Soil-moving) at OFE
On Saturday, September 13 a small army of intrepid volunteers - men, women, and children - wielding shovels and hoes and pushing wheelbarrows, whipped the 28 raised-bed vegetable gardens outside the school into ready-to-plant shape. The weather cooperated and remained cool and overcast the entire morning. The group, with muscle power, wheelbarrows, and Eddie Holik's front end loader, moved nearly 18 yards of soil to top off the beds.
Another huge and much-appreciated group accomplishment was cleaning up the weed-choked pathways between the gardens in the fenced area, and completely overhauling the two beds outside the fence. Many, many thanks to the following people for their Herculean efforts: Shawn Hooker, Dianne Murata, Renee and Chris Dahlmeier, Christina Amos, The Holiks, Chris Warren, Dina Medley, Shannon Benesch, Carrie and Herman Lam, Daryl McCracken, Chris O'Connor, Theresa Velasquez, Sheryl Mendel, Emily Leffler and Betsy Denson.
Please forgive us if your name should be on this list but was inadvertently left off. Kudos also go to Merin Noonan for organizing (and for the coffee,water, and donuts), to Eddie Holik for his front end loader, to Jennifer Hess for bringing tools and to Social Media Chairs and VIPS chairs for promoting the event and getting volunteers. Thanks to all, the garden beds are ready to plant! We couldn't have done it without you.
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 Hospitality By Jacky Theodore & Laura Tilley 2014-2015 Hospitality Committee Chairs The PTA Hospitality Committee along with volunteers from the Community Relations Committee prepared sweet treats to deliver to surrounding neighbors and stores to build relationships and ease the transition as we prepared for a new school year!
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 PTA FALL FUNDRAISER & COOKIE DOUGH SALES by Christine Gorman and Stella Stevens 2014-2015 Cookie Dough Committee Chairs
Reminder Parents and Supporters of OFE PTA. Please note the below date regarding your pick-up of the cookie dough orders submitted for this very important fundraising event.
Special thank you and kudos to all of those who participated by selling or those who opted out with a cash donation.
Important Date: Cookie Dough Delivery: Thursday, October 23rd
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 OFE Recipe of the Month Turkey Lunch-Box Wraps by Carolina Chavez
Applesauce Muffins
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Ingredients:
- � cup butter
- � cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- � cups Mott's Natural Applesauce
- 1 � cups flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- � tsp Salt
Topping:
- � cup butter, melted
- � cup sugar
- � tsp cinnamon
Steps:
- Cream butter and sugar.
- Beat in eggs one at a time until fluffy.
- Add applesauce and mix.
- Sift in dry ingredients.
- Place in muffin tins and bake at 350 F until golden.
- While the muffins are still warm dip in melted butter and then in cinnamon sugar mixture.
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If you would like to submit a recipe for the OFE Recipe of the month, please send all submissions to [email protected] |
 OFE Fall Festival By Hein Reynoso & Christina Amos 2014-2015 Fall Festival Committee Chairs Oak Forest Fall Festival 2014 is November 15th Save the Date..... This year's Fall Festival will be held on Saturday, November 15 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Attractions this year will be a Rock Wall, Swing Ride, Game Truck and Laser Tag, Petting Zoo, Cinderella Carriage Rides, Pumpkin Patch, Temporary Airbrush Tattoos, Juggler/ magician, Pie Eating Contest, Renaissance food of turkey legs and roasted corn and, much much more. This event is a family fun event for OFE students, teachers/staff, and the local community. The Oak Forest PTA will be looking for volunteers to help with the festival and for local businesses and OFE families to sponsor the fall festival. If you are interested volunteering or being a sponsor please contact Hien Reynoso [email protected] or Christina Amos [email protected]. For more information visit: http://www.oakforestpta.com/fundraising-events/fall-festival/
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 Reflections Arts Contest Open to All By Michelle Hitt & Julie Wilson 2014-2015 Reflections Membership Chairs Reflections is a school wide arts contest that is free to enter and allows children the opportunity to express themselves in many different ways. All participants are invited to a pizza and ice cream party at the school on the evening of November 21. The party is also an Award Ceremony, where families get to wander around the gallery to see all the amazing Reflections artwork and photographs. This year's winning Visual Arts entry will be featured on the back cover of the Oak Forest Yearbook! Students may enter as many pieces of artwork in as many categories as they like. Increase your chance to win by entering a piece in all 6. The categories are: - Visual arts (painting, drawing)
- Photography
- Literature (short story, poem, essay)
- Musical composition
- Film production
- Dance choreography
Entries must be inspired by the theme "The World Would Be a Better Place If...". The deadline for submissions is Friday, October 31 and you may begin to turn in your artwork (along with an entry form) to Ms Campbell in the Library from October 14. Reflections is a national PTA contest, and so the best entries, as judged by local judges from the arts world, will move on to the next level of judging. Oak Forest students have been winners of the Texas Reflections contest and have even been honored at the National level. More information, guidelines and entry forms may be found in the OFE Library or on the Oak Forest PTA website at http://www.oakforestpta.com/fundraising-events/reflections Or at the Texas PTA Reflections page. Please use the entry form on the Oak Forest PTA page. Questions? Contact [email protected] OR [email protected]
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 OFE PTA Community Partner Program By Jen Sudduth & Courtney Zavala Community Relations
We're continuing to get the word out and look for partners in our community to support all the great work going on at Oak Forest. Thank you to Dr. Lee from Signature Smiles who recently became a platinum sponsor. Know of someone who might be interested in becoming a community partner? E-mail us or visit: http://www.oakforestpta.com/community-partners/become-partner/
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 Coffee with Principal Thomas By Jen Powis & Jenni & Dave Ferrell 2014-2015 Legislative/Parent Engagement Committee We're continuing our Coffee with the Principal series this year at OFE. There will be events at the dates and times below. While the topics are yet to be determined, if you have any suggestions or burning questions for our principal, please send them to me at: [email protected]
Upcoming dates
7:45 in the library on 10/10/14, following the PTA meeting on 2/13/15
7:45 in the library on 5/1/15
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 Save the Date - Light the Night By Melissa Santiago & Mandie Eicheniaub 2014-2015 Auction Committee Chairs "Light the Night benefiting Oak Forest Elementary" Date & Time: Friday, March 6 @ SPJST Lodge 88
Volunteers Needed!
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 Upcoming Dates
School Events Book Character Parade 10/31/14 Magnet Awareness Week 11/3/14-11/7/14 Coffee with Trustee Rhonda Jones 11/7/14 @7:45 OFE library Fall Festival - 11/15/2014
Open House Pre-K-2nd - Tuesday 9/11/14 @ 6 PM Open House 3rd -5th- Thursday 9/6/14 @ 6 PM
Fundraising Fall Fundraiser (Cookie Dough) - 09/3/14-09/18/14 Fall Fundraiser (Cookie Dough) Pickup Day - 10/23/14 Fall Book Fair Kick off Saturday November 15 during the Fall Festival Continues through November 17-21 Volunteer opportunities sent via Living Tree Contact Selena Crochet [email protected]
Save the Date:
"Light the Night benefiting Oak Forest Elementary" Friday, March 6 @ SPJST Lodge 88
PTA Association meetings in the multipurpose room
Dinner at evening meeting available for a small charge/Kid's crafts/Spanish Translation Offered/School Shirts for Sale
Dates:
Nov. 20 (6:30 PM)
Feb 13 (7:45 AM)
Apr. 16 (6:30 PM)
May 21 (6:30 PM)
Visit the PTA website:
To look up contact information for committee chairs, the PTA calendar of events, and more.
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 We are on FACEBOOK! By Carolina Chavez & Jennifer Hess 2014-2015 OFE Social Media Committee
Parents,
This is a reminder that you can also get daily updates via the OFE PTA Facebook Page. Check your Smart phones or internet browsers and log in to join our group.
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 Show Your Support Support Oak Forest Elementary when you use your Kroger Plus card.
Kroger Community Rewards Program
Every time you use your Kroger Plus card, Kroger will donate money to Oak Forest Elementary. All you need to do is go to the following website and enroll in their Community Rewards Program. Choose Oak Forest Elementary PTA / Organization No. 90142 as your reward choice!
www.kroger.com/communityrewards
Either create an account or enroll in the rewards program if you already have an account set up. You must re-enroll every year so sign-up now. Oak Forest Elementary is depending on you! You must sign-up online; you can't sign up in the store. If you need assistance with signing-up, instructions on how to enroll can be found on the Oak Forest Elementary PTA website: www.oakforestpta.com.
Sign-up grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, neighbors, friends, etc. Let's start earning money for our school!
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 Box Tops for Education By Maureen Marcon and Cara Ramelow 2014-2015 Box Tops Committee Chairs Bobcats, during the first of week school we collected 928 Box Tops for Oak Forest. Thanks so much for all your work. Oak Forest Elementary will use this money to purchase supplies for our classrooms and our school community. And Denise Reyes submitted over a hundred. Way to go, Denise! Thanks to all of you who participated. Grace Branum and Denise Reyes were the winners of the monthly drawing for August. Ms. Cones' class is in the lead for the most box tops so far this year. Ms. Llamo's class and Ms. Bagby's class are not far behind! Don't forget, the class with the most box tops at the end of the year wins an ice cream party! Keep collecting! The following Bobcats submitted Box Tops in August - |
Isabella Aceves
Grace Branum
Olivia Cardenas
Andrew Caver
Presley Crabbe
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James Ekelmans
Julia Ekelmans
Steven Gamez
Tanner Hansen
Sophia Hernandez
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Bailey Holik
Ella Madi
Sophia Marcon
Jake Masek
Reggie Mendez
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Dylan Ramos
Denise Reyes
Malory Tauser
Ava Trevino
Isabella Trevino
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For every 10 unexpired box tops that you submit, you will be entered into the monthly drawing to win a free ice cream cone or other treat. There will be two winners each month. Use the "Ten to Win" raffle ticket below to submit your box tops. Additional copies can be found in the box tops basket in the front entry at OFE or on the PTA website: www.oakforestpta.com. And if you want to earn extra Box Tops for Oak Forest, go to the following website regularly to enter to win bonus box tops. You may earn up to $500 for Oak Forest Elementary by entering the drawings. http://www.boxtops4education.com/bonus-box-tops Thanks again for collecting!
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OFE
Box Tops for
Education
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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 PTA Membership
By Courtney Gaydosik and Gaby Rodrigues
2014-2015 PTA Membership Chairs
PTA Member Spotlight - The Reed Family
Noelle and Eric Reed thought a lot about where to send their triplets to elementary school.
"We had them in a very small private school for preschool, and it became clear that the kids would benefit from being separated," says Noelle. "So our starting point was needing a school big enough to have at least three kindergarten classes." Noelle grew up in public school, and wanted her kids to as well.
"We looked at all of our options, and Oak Forest had a terrific reputation," she says. "We also had a friend whose daughter was a year ahead of ours, and she had a great kindergarten experience, so that influenced our choice as well."
For more of their story, visit: http://www.oakforestpta.com/oak-forest-101/current-happenings/
Use your PTA Membership to:
* Get Connected. PTA provides opportunities to meet and network with other parents, teachers, and school administrators. There's no better way to know what's happening in your child's school and community.
* Speak Up. PTA can be a way for you to more effectively be the voice for change at your child's school.
* Watch Yourself Grow. As a PTA volunteer, you can use your skills and hobbies for a relevant cause while setting a good example for your child and all children in the community.
* Give Back. By becoming part of PTA, you will be part of the solution, to help make positive changes in your child's school and in the lives of many children.
To join our PTA, visit: http://www.oakforestpta.com/about-pta/join-the-pta/
Thank you in advance for making the difference in your child's education!
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