Learning Gate 2019 Auction Night
Link to download and print: 2019 Auction Night Sponsorship Form
Razzle Dazzle Tickets
Tickets coming home in February!
EcoFest 2019
Save the Date! 
Volunteer & Parent Education Hours Available! 

Vendor inquiries can go to-
Learning Gate Community Food Drive
Reminder! Learning Gate is participating in a food drive to help the community throughout the year. Any of these items can be dropped off to any K, 1 or 2 classrooms.
January and February are hot or cold cereals.
Learning Gate Community School Christmas Bird Count
Tampa Holds its First CBC for Kids
Jim McGinity, Learning Gate Community School

Many birders around the state (and country) like to participate in the annual Christmas Bird Counts (CBC). Usually, we help cover parts of the count circles either by ourselves or with a few long-time, experienced birders. This year, I decided that it was time to enlist the help of some next generation birders – children! I patterned the event after other “CBC for Kids” events held in California and Canada.

This first-time event coincided with the Tampa CBC on January 5th, so the birds seen on the 30 - acre campus during the morning were able to be included in the official CBC total. After brief “Binocular 101” and “Bird Identification Basics” classes inside, the group was divided into 2 smaller groups and headed outside. Each group had 4 and 5 children (respectively) with parents plus 4 expert birders to help with identifying anything seen. We also had a scope station set up by the lake to allow the participants to get better looks at distant birds. 

After an hour and a half of birding the campus, the groups gathered back inside to tally up the species. In a combined total, we spotted 28 species with a total of 219 birds. At the end of the event, the 9 children shared their favorite bird. Some of the highlights included seeing Eastern Bluebirds, Hermit Thrush and a very cooperative Eastern Towhee.  According to a few of the parents, the event definitely sparked an interest in birding for a number of the children. Hopefully, next year the event will attract many more young birders! 
Bird Seed Donations
Mr. Jim needs bird seed donations for the feeders by the library at Hanna Campus. Any brand of mixed seed and black oil sunflower seed would be greatly appreciated. They can be dropped off at the office at Hanna Campus.
Learning Gate Girl Scout Troop 32700
Congratulations to the LG 8th grade Girl Scout Troop for earning their silver badge, the second-highest award to be earned in Girl Scouts. They along with Ms. Sylvie and the Crisis Center, hosted an assembly at the middle school last month and provided valuable information to the students.
Counselors Corner
‌
Hello LG Families,
I hope everyone had a great holiday season. In this newsletter I wanted to give some resources on how closely connected student attendance is to a student's achievement. Below are links to some very informative articles. Please enjoy!

Mercedes Wisnar
School Counselor
The Learning Gate Community School
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities
Florida State Fair Volunteers Needed
LGCS will have a booth at the Florida State Fair! Volunteers are needed to help set up the booth, monitor, and take the booth down.
Florida State Fair Volunteers Needed
The school will be hosting a family friendly literacy event on February 16th, 10am-2pm.
Chef Jill is in need of volunteers to help plan/organize crafts, activities and games for each grade level.
Have a special talent like face painting, balloon making, music? Like to dress up in character and read stories? Like to make crafts? Have a business that would like to host a booth? Any ideas welcome.
Please contact  [email protected]  if you are interested.

Auction Night/EcoFest Volunteers
Looking for auction night tracker - must be tech savvy & good with spreadsheets/organizing. 25 hours available. 
Auction Night committee members 10-20 hours available. Event date is 3/9/19. 
EcoFest committee members needed. 10-20 hours available. Event date is 4/13/19. 
At home volunteer opportunity
Looking for creative at home hour volunteers! Drawing, painting, creating for events in Feb/March/April.
Graphic Designers Needed
Banner design for Auction Night
At home hours, now until 3/1. 5-20 hours available.
Anyone who can volunteer please contact   [email protected] g

Library Volunteers
We need assistance during the times classes are coming in and out of the library. Volunteers will work the circulation desk for checking books in and out, assist the children with locating books, light cleaning, and shelf returned books. Opportunities available throughout the school year!

Are You Crafty?  Please join the Crafty Crew Group!
 
Are graphics your thing?  Please join the Graphic Gurus Group!
 
Want to build ite ms for LG?  Please join the Carpenter Crew!
 
Are you a baking master?  Please join our Baking Bunch Group!
Lunch Information
Lunch Accounts/Ordering:
Food Service Contact:   [email protected]
Monthly Menu : January
Kona Ice on Hanna campus:  more dates to come in 2019!
Kona Ice on Lutz Lake Fern campus:    more dates to come in 2019!
Volunteer During Lunches!
Hanna Campus — 10:45am–1:15pm
Lutz Lake Fern Campus — 10:50am–12:30pm
No sign up necessary, please just come in!
3 shifts = one free dress pass
Family and friends welcome!
Box Tops
Amazon Smile
Learning Gate Community School
16215 Hanna Rd Lutz, FL  US  33549 (813) 784 3647