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BOBCAT BEAT
A PTA Publication
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Letter From the Principal
Jenny Thomas
Dear Oak Forest Families,
On behalf of the Oak Forest Faculty and Staff, I would like to thank you for a smooth start to a new school year. We have completed the first days back to school with great success.
It's early in the school year and great teaching and learning are taking place throughout the building. Students are becoming familiar with the campus as well as the routines and procedures for each classroom. Rich vocabulary is being introduced and math facts are being committed to memory. Also, "All About Me" presentations are being shared so that classmates get to know one another. These activities and many more make learning exciting!
As we kick off the school year with plans to create the most positive and challenging learning environment possible for our students, I would like to remind you of a couple critical things you can do to contribute to the success at Oak Forest. Please ensure your child has regular attendance and is here in time to be in class each day by 8:00 am. We encourage you to be involved in your student's school experience throughout the year by checking for communication each Wednesday in the green communication folders and using the LivingTree communication tool online or with the "app". If you have questions about other ways you can support your child, please contact the school and let us know how we can help.
Carpool reminders:
- School starts at 8:00 a.m. and dismissal begins at 3:00 p.m.
- The safest way to pick up children is in the car line.
- Always use sidewalks and crosswalks with crossing guards.
- During dismissal, the "Wave" lot in the front of the school is for buses and designated vehicles only.
- No cell phone use in school zones and adhere to speed limits.
Thank you so much for your patience as we get arrival and dismissal up and running efficiently. It will speed up as the weeks continue. Keeping our children safe is our number one priority. It takes everyone's cooperation to make that happen so thank you for your support!
We thank you for your continued support and commitment to your child's education.
Sincerely,
Jenny Thomas
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 Looking Forward to a Great Year By Amber Caver 2014-2015 PTA President
Welcome back Oak Forest Families; so far the 2014-15 school year is off to a great start. It is my privilege to be able to volunteer as a member of the PTA and hopefully this year we can continue to progress in supporting the overall purpose of the PTA which is to make every child's potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children.
I personally invite all parents to join the PTA and help support the students, teachers and staff at Oak Forest. We have volunteer opportunities big and small and there is a place for everyone.
Many of your favorite events are back this year. This year's Fall Festival, Book Fair, Auction and Muffin Man Mornin' will be better than ever so mark your calendars. In an effort to support the educational growth and enrich the lives of our students we continue to support the Accelerated Reader Program, our Arts and Education Committee will be bringing fine arts performances to school, we also support other student enrichment such as field trips.
We are incredibly blessed to have a strong PTA Board of dedicated parents who have been working hard and have volunteered their time and talent to allow all students to have the best possible education and experience at Oak Forest. Many of our PTA committee chairs started working this summer to make many positive changes for the 2014-15 school year. I will be posting weekly on Living Tree to keep you up to date with what is going on at Oak Forest.
Our Community Relations Chairs are working diligently to build friendships and find community partners in our Oak Forest area and our dedicated website committee is continually updating the PTA website so that it is more user friendly, can help parents easily make online purchases such as school shirts, your PTA Membership or Fall Festival tickets or find information about activities at Oak Forest.
Remember all this is possible only because of the generous financial support and volunteer involvement of parents just like you...so get involved and help make every Oak Forest student's potential a reality.
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 Helpful Hints and Safety Procedures Parking is limited at the school. Many parents park in Oak Forest Public Library parking lot and walk to the school.
Crossing Guards: If you are walking or riding a bicycle, always use the sidewalk for the safety of you and your child. when crossing the street, you must cross at a designated crosswalk. Crossing Guards are provided by HISD Police: Oak forest at 43rd Street or Oak Forest at Lamonte
Please do not walk or ride in driveways. The bicycle station is located near the front door. Parents are encouraged to provide a lock and chain to secure the bicycle.
Morning Drop Off
If you are driving your child through the drop off line, please pull up as far as possible when dropping off or picking up your child.
Children will proceed to either the Blue Commons area or the Multi-Purpose room where they will wait for their teacher and go as a class to their room. These are supervised areas.
Afternoon Pick Up
Please remember to bring your car tag when picking up your child in either the car line or the walker line.
Please try to be consistent with your pick-up procedure so your child is aware of his/her dismissal area. Please email or send a note to the teacher when there is a change.
When dropping off your child, please do not pass other cars in the car line, including the back car line.
Please obey posted school zones and drive safely.
Cell Phones
A state law has been enacted that prohibits the use of a cell phone in school zones. Please do not use your cell phone in the car lines.
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 A BIG Thank You to OFE Volunteers
Also, thank you to all the PTA volunteers who were working hard during the summer and before school started to make sure the school year started off smoothly. New Parent Liaisons Mindy Mitchell and Christina Rappazzo organized two kindergarten play dates over the summer as well as the Boo-hoo and Ya-hoo breakfast on the first day of school. Teacher Appreciation Chairs Kathleen Orr and Renee Dahlmeier gave the teachers a great back to school breakfast as well.
School Supplies Chairs Jill Davis and Julie Osterman made sure that pre-ordered supplies were in the classrooms waiting for your kiddos.
Spirit Committee Chairs John Erwin and Matt Torregrossa served up ice-cream at the socials.
Membership Chairs Courtney Gaydosik and Gaby Rodrigues have been signing people up for PTA Memberships.
Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS) Chairs Maricela Pina and Carrie Lam are working hard to match up parents with their volunteer interests.
Community Partnership Chairs Jen Sudduth and Courtney Zavala and Hospitality Chairs Jacky Theodore and Laura Tilley delivered sweet treats to local homes and businesses to ask for a little patience with our limited parking the first days of school.
Ashley Harris and everyone involved in the Bobcat Store have been selling and delivering Spirit shirts like hotcakes.
Social Media Chairs Carolina Chavez and Jennifer Hess have been keeping everyone updated on our Facebook page. If you haven't already, please join the group
'Oak Forest Elementary School - PTA'
Web chairs Kim Solomon and Herman Lam worked hard to update www.oakforestpta.com and to add extra functionality to the site with online forms to purchase T-shirts and memberships and a new online directory form.
Also, thanks to all who gave their time at the two ice cream socials!
We couldn't do it without you! Want to get involved? Tell us what your volunteer interests are at http://www.oakforestpta.com/about-pta/volunteer/
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Oak Forest PTA Communications SURVEY
We want to know how to serve you better. The survey closes at the end of week.
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 PTA FALL FUNDRAISER & COOKIE DOUGH SALES by Christine Gorman and Stella Stevens 2014-2015 Cookie Dough Committee Chairs
The Oak Forest Elementary PTA is sponsoring a Fall Fundraising Program. We know! No one likes fundraisers! But as many Oak Forest Families have come to learn is that all the neat stuff about our school, like the Arboretum, school vegetable garden, the mural, AR Awards, the technology, teacher appreciation lunches, and teacher supply reimbursements are funded by the PTA fundraisers. This project can be fun for the whole family and can make a big difference at Oak Forest.
For more information visit: http://www.oakforestpta.com/fundraising-events/fall-fundraiser/
Important Dates:
Kickoff: Wednesday, September 3rd
Cookie Orders Due: Thursday, September 18th
Cookie Dough Delivery: Thursday, October 23rd
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 Box Tops for Education By Maureen Marcon and Cara Ramelow 2014-2015 Box Tops Committee Chairs Welcome back Bobcats!! Everyone can help raise money for Oak Forest Elementary by collecting box tops this year. Last year we collected 21,311 box tops, earning over $2,100 for Oak Forest Elementary. Let's beat those numbers this year! We are ready to start collecting for this year. For every 10 unexpired box tops that you submit, you will be entered into a monthly drawing to win a free ice cream cone or other treat. There will be two winners each month. And the best part is that the class that collects the most box tops by the end of April wins a free ice cream party at the end of the year. Use the "Ten 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 front atrium. It is helpful to submit your box tops in groups of ten in a zip lock 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 you can be entered in the drawing.
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OFE
Box Tops for
Education
Raffle Ticket
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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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 Show Your Support Support Oak Forest Elementary when you use your Kroger Plus card.
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.
Sign-up grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, neighbors, friends, etc. Let's start earning money for our kids and our school.
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 PTA Membership
By Courtney Gaydosik and Gaby Rodrigues
2014-2015 PTA Membership Chairs
Why join PTA?
The number one reason to join PTA is your child!
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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 OFE Recipe of the Month Turkey Lunch-Box Wraps by Emily Zihlman 2 Whole wheat tortillas (8 inches)
4 teaspoons of honey mustard
1 package of cream cheese
6 ozs thinly sliced deli turkey
2 thin slices of Muenster/Swiss cheese
1 cup fresh baby spinach
1/2 cup shredded carrot
1 bacon strip, cooked and crumbled
1/4 cup chopped seeded cucumber or avocado
1/4 cup chopped sweet red pepper
1. Mix together the cream cheese and honey mustard until smooth.
2. Spread each tortilla with about 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture, spreading to within 1/4 inch of the edge of the tortillas.
3. Layer each with the turkey, cheese, spinach, carrot, bacon, cucumber/avacado, and red pepper; roll up tightly.
4. Add a pickle and a side of seasonal mixed fruit to your student's lunch-box for an all around healthy and nutritious lunch.
If you would like to submit a recipe for the OFE Recipe of the month, please send all submissions to [email protected] |
 Upcoming Dates
1st PTA meeting:
September 5- OFE Library - OFE 101- New Parent Q&A
School Events Grandparents Day Luncheon- 9/16/2014 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
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: Sept 5 (7:45 AM)
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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Back to School Parent Quotes by Grade When asked by others about your child's back to school experience: Pre-K Parents - "I just don't know! Sending Little (insert child's name) off to school, what will we do with ourselves?" - (Classic Early Parenthood Empty Nest Syndrome)
Kindergarten Parents - "Wow, my Little (insert child's name) is in Kindergarten! What a landmark day in our household. I can't wait to see him/her grow and develop."
- (Classic Beyond Reason Prideful Parent Syndrome)
1st Grade Parents - "What? Summer is over? Someone has obviously heard my prayers!"
- (Classic I'm Tired of Summer and "Big Time Rush" on My TV Syndrome)
2nd Grade Parents - "Can there please be more enrichment programs After School?"
- (Classic Can't Keep my Second Grader Busy Enough Syndrome)
3rd Grade Parents - "STARR Testing, should I be concerned?"
- (Classic Never Happened When I was in 3rd Grade Syndrome)
4th Grade Parents - "Can my child just stay at Oak Forest?"
- (Classic I Don't Want to Have to Deal with Middle School Yet Syndrome)
5th Grade Parents - "This homework is making me think rather deeply."
- (Classic Where Have All My Brain Cells Gone Syndrome)
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 About me... Teacher of the Month Which teacher or staff member would you like to see profiled this year?
Email the editors Kirk or Emily Zihlman at
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By
Emily & Kirk Zihlman
2014-2015 Newsletter Committee Chairs
Bilingual Liaisons Miguel Bustamante & Jacky Theodore |
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"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." - Nelson Mandela |
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