Parents,

Thank you so much for supporting our campus and helping fund many activities and supplies that benefit our students! We are still working toward our final goal of $10,000; however, we want to reward the students with a PJ Day tomorrow, Sept. 27th for the $7,500 mark! We've been discussing with the students on morning announcements what is appropriate: spirit t-shirts and PJ pants (shorts are fine as long as they are school appropriate length). Please ensure your child follows the NEISD and campus dress code policy before leaving home. If possible, we'd love for them to keep their spirit with spirit t-shirts and wear those comfy pj pants. We will still do our
Friday spirit counts. If you don't have any T.H.E. spirit wear, a t-shirt is completely acceptable. Again, thank you for your support and for helping your child meet dress code tomorrow for our PJ DAY!!!!! **Spaghetti straps, gowns, boxer shorts, etc. are NOT appropriate.

Also, tell your children to start collecting their coins! Our Book Fair begins Sept. 30th- Oct. 4th. We had wonderful volunteers here today helping get things set up for viewing. Thank you!

Tara Bailey

Tuscany Heights Elementary School 
September 22,  2013
 
Parents, 
We had a great week! We hope that you had a nice and relaxing weekend. Thank you for your continued support with our Greenback fundraiser, Transforming the Future of NEISD, and our campus staff!

Thank you,
Tara Bailey 

Upcoming Events 

Sept. 30th- Oct. 4th      
PTA Presents… T.H.E. Book Fair

Sept. 30th- Oct. 6th      
Eat for a Cause…OrderUp

October 1st 6:30pm
PTA Mtg/ 4th Grade Performance  
 
PTA News  
Back to School Box Tops Contest ends Wednesday, Sept. 25th: 
Turn in your Box Tops collection sheet(s) to your teacher by Wednesday, September 25th. The class from each grade level with the most Box Tops wins a kickball contest with Mrs. Bailey and Mr. Rafajko! Every student who turns in 100 Box Tops gets a spirit stick!  Click here for Box Tops Collection Sheet

Campin' for Cash 4th Annual Greenback Fundraiser, now-Sept. 26th!: 
Wow-our Tiger Families are so generous and know how to sharpen the saw! We have raised $7,000 so far for our students! Keep supporting Tuscany and PTA by [tuscanyheightspta.org] clicking here to donate online or sending cash or check (payable to THE PTA) to the school. Our goal is to raise $10,000 for our fun and educational PTA programs like Field Day, Red Ribbon Week, Field Trips, T.H.E. PTA Presents…, Bike Rodeo, and many, many more. We welcome any amount and want to make our goal of $10,000 this week, so our principals and Tusky will camp out on the roof of our school! We will not be doing any other major fundraisers this fall (like catalog/food sales, Apex Fun Run, etc.) So, let's start our year off by reaching new heights and sending our principals camping and our kids to school in their pjs! 

Eat for a Cause at Orderup, Monday, Sept. 30th-Sunday, Oct.6th, and support Tuscany  Heights! 
Join other Tuscany families at Orderup in the Stone Ridge shopping center (281/Evans) and eat for a cause any time between Monday, Sept. 30th- Sunday, Oct. 6th. Ask for your receipt, write "Tuscany Heights" on the back and drop it in the collections box. Orderup will donate 20% of your purchase back to the school! 
 
Believe, Dream, & Inspire -Texas  PTA 2013 Reflections Art Contest entries due by Oct. 16th:
Tuscany Heights would be honored to have our students interested in creating drawings, paintings, stories and other forms of art enter the 2013 Reflections Art Contest.  Entry forms and rules are available in the school library and can also be found online by clicking here. Entries should be submitted in the Reflections box in the school library between October 1st and October 16th.  All participants will receive a spirit stick and winners will move on to the NEISD Council for judging.  Please contact Megan Ehrle  ehrles@yahoo.com with
  questions. 

Parents,

Thank you for a successful dismissal today! We call it successful, because we safely dismissed close to 900 students. We did have a bit of a traffic jam at the light given the rain and our system moving at a slower pace given fewer cones. I hope our spontaneous efforts to bring a few cars in on the second line helped with the traffic flow. Thank you for your patience as we work hard daily to safely dismiss all students in an efficient and effective manner.

Attached you will find a flyer from Reagan High School regarding cheer clinic if your family has an interest.

Thank you again for all of your support.
Tara Bailey

RHS Cheer Clinic
RHS Cheer Clinic Registration Form

Parents,

Please see the attached flyer for Campin' for Cash! We are working toward a $10,000 goal this year and so far we have raised $6,000.
Thank you to everyone for your donations!!! Mr. Rafajko, Tusky, and myself are looking forward to a night under the stars on the T.H.E. Roof! Then, we will look forward to spending the "greenback" money on items for our students!  :-)

Thank you for your never ending support of our staff, students, and parents!

Thank  you,
Tara Bailey

Campin' For Cash
What Are Greenbacks?

Tuscany Heights Elementary School 
September 15,  2013 

Parents, 

It has been a great week! Thank you for sharing your children with us. Also, thank you for donating to our Campin’ for Cash Greenback Fund. I look forward to camping on the roof if it means funds for our students! If you haven’t and would like to do so, please see the PTA section below.

 Also, a big event coming up this week is a meeting with Dr. Gottardy regarding Transformation in NEISD. We are working hard to embrace the classroom shift of incorporating technology to making it the norm for our classrooms, asking ourselves as educators how we can use it for each lesson! Please join us at one of his meetings to hear about the transformation process. Most of our T.H.E.
staff plans to attend the Sept. 19th. We’d love for you to come out and join us! We will be sporting our Orange PTA Spirit Shirts so that we stand out. RSVPs are expected as there will be refreshments.

Thank you for supporting our staff, school, and district! 

Thank you,
Tara Bailey 
 
Upcoming Events 
September 17th  Picture Day 
 ***
Parents, If you pay for pictures online with a credit card, you will be issued a picture code. Please send this code with your child(ren) in an envelope the day of the pictures. It is required for pictures!

October 1st  6:30pm PTA Mtg/ 4th Grade Performance 

Helpful Information         
Transforming the Future in NEISD (Flyer Attached) 
Dr. Gottardy has reached out to the community in an effort to start a transformation across the district for our classrooms. He sent out letters to parents and community members, but he is also hosting several community meetings to explain his initiative. Please join Tuscany Heights’ staff in taking steps toward embracing this transformation. The majority of our campus plans to attend his 6:00pm September 19th Johnson High School Meeting. Join us if you can! If not, the following are several opportunities to join the transformation discussion. He values your input. 
Monday 9/16 6:00 p.m. at Roosevelt High School 
Tuesday 9/17 11:30 at Piper Bass (following the PTA Council meeting) 
Wednesday 9/18 - 11:30 at Madison High School AMP Facility 
Wednesday 9/18 - 6:00 p.m. at Churchill High School 
Thursday 9/19 - 11:30 at Community Learning Center 
Thursday 9/19 - 6:00 p.m. at Johnson High School 
Transformation Flyer
  
PTA News  
Campin'  for Cash 4th Annual Greenback Fundraiser, now-Sept. 26th!: Support Tuscany and PTA and donate to our annual greenback fundraiser. Our goal is to raise $10,000 for our fun and educational PTA programs like Field  Day, Red Ribbon Week, Field Trips, T.H.E. PTA Presents…, Bike Rodeo, and many, many more. Thank you to all you have already donated and helped us reach $6,000! If we raise $10,000 for Tuscany, our principals and Tusky will camp out on the roof of our school! For our Tigers to earn a pajama day at school, we need to raise $7, 500! Help support our great programs by donating any amount online at tuscanyheightspta.org or send cash or check (made out to THE PTA) to the school. We will not be doing any other major fundraisers this fall (like catalog/food sales, Apex Fun Run, etc.) So, let's start our year off by reaching new heights and sending our principals camping! Look for a flyer and payment envelope to be sent home in backpacks on Monday! 
  
Back to School Box Tops Contest and HEB Bonus Box Tops Promo  now-9/17th: This is an easy way to earn money for our school! For every 15 Box Tops for Education products purchased at HEB from September 4th - 17th, you will receive 100 Bonus Box Tops. That is $10 extra dollars!  If you purchase 10 Box Tops for Education products, you will receive 60 Bonus Box Tops.  That's an extra $6!  Be shopping for products that have Box Tops for Education during this time to get your Bonus Box Tops printed right at the register.  Turn in your Box Tops collection sheet(s) to your teacher by Wednesday, September 25th. The class from each grade level with the most Box Tops wins a kickball contest with Mrs. Bailey and Mr. Rafajko!  Every student who turns in 100 Box Tops gets a spirit stick!  Click here for Box Tops Collection Sheet 
  
T.H.E. PTA Presents…Drum Café, Friday, September 20th:  Drum Café is returning to Tuscany! Get ready for an exciting and interactive show where every child gets his or her drum to play. Students will be encouraged to develop their social interaction and leadership skills through drumming. Wear your Tiger spirit shirt, and let's show everyone what great leaders we have at Tuscany!

Parents,

As we tweaked our morning drop-off to help alleviate the car rider congestion, I promised to monitor and assess the situation. We
have had a number of parents grateful and share that it has made a huge difference. I am grateful! We would like to continue this method to help our traffic flow. With that said, I do have a few cars that are using the back parking lot and drive thru as a drop off before buses leave around 7:25-7:30. Students are existing buses and cars while students are walking themselves across the crosswalk after being dropped off in the parking lot area. We've had a few dangerous situations that I would like to avoid in the future. 

Please help us continue a safe and smooth morning and afternoon drop-off by following the school procedures. All morning drop-off in the back should start around 7:25 and end by 7:40. Cars are welcomed to stay in the lane closest to the building for safe exiting. If you chose to park, please walk your child(ren) across the crosswalk and safely on school grounds. We do have staff out front and back, but it is imperative with close to 900 students arriving to school around the same time that we make this a team effort for safety.

Thank you for your time and I hope that you have an incredible weekend with your families!
Tara Bailey

Include Your Child in Our School Directory

The PTA produces a directory to keep parents “in the know” and help our children stay in touch with their friends. 
The spiral bound directory includes:

• Student Index
• Class listing with contact information
• School Calendar of Event
• NEISD School Calendar
• Staff E-mail Addresses
• PTA Committee Contacts

 
The school district DOES NOT share any data with us for this publication.

Please  add your child’s information on our website to have them listed correctly in the directory.  
http://www.tuscanyheightspta.org/your-family-at-the.html

Include only the information you would like to share. Address, phone, e-mail…

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.

You may purchase directories on the website or by sending payment to the front office with your name, child’s name, and teacher’s name attached. Only $6.00! 

Also on the website --
 · Click here to Purchase Business Ads – a great way to reach our community!
 · Click here for Tribute flyer and Click here for Shout Out flyer– fun ways to show your kids how proud you are of them.
·  Click here for Art Contest flyer  – the deadline is nearing.  Don’t miss out on a spirit stick and a chance for your child’s art to be published!

Parents,

It is 9-11 tomorrow, so we are hoping to be a red, white, and blue campus in honor.  We'd be happy for all staff and students to join us if they wish to do so.

Thank you,
Tara Bailey

Tuscany Heights Elementary School 

September 8, 2013 

Parents, 
This past week was a short yet fun-filled week between honoring our WatchDOGS at the first PTA Meeting, earning money at HEB, and celebrating all of our grandparents. It was a great week!

Thank you for your never ending support of our school. Between our staff, students, and parents, this is a GREAT place to work. 

Thank you,
Tara Bailey 
 
Upcoming Events 
September 17th  Picture Day 
October 1st         6:30pm PTA Mtg/ 4th Grade Performance 

Helpful Information 
 
Transforming the Future in NEISD
Dr. Gottardy has reached out to the community in an effort to start a transformation across the district for our classrooms. He sent out letters to parents and community members, but he is also hosting several community meetings to explain his initiative. Please join Tuscany Heights’ staff in taking steps toward embracing this transformation. The majority of our campus plans to attend his
6:00pm September 19th Johnson High School Meeting. Join us if you can! If not, the following are several opportunities to join the transformation discussion. He values your input.
Monday 9/16  6:00p.m. at Roosevelt High School
Tuesday 9/17 11:30 at Piper Bass (following the PTA Council meeting)
Wednesday 9/18 - 11:30 at Madison High School AMP Facility
Wednesday  9/18 - 6:00 p.m. at Churchill High School
Thursday 9/19 - 11:30 at Community Learning Center
Thursday 9/19 - 6:00 p.m. at Johnson High School 
 
Target RedCard Shoppers
Target sent us a check this week for $700, because some of our parents used “Tuscany Heights Elementary” as their school of choice when using their RedCard. This program supports school by donating 1% of your purchases to the campus. In fact, we noticed on their school leader board, one school earned as much as $12,000 (not in NEISD). If you are a Target shopper, please check into this opportunity for our students. We are constantly discussing how we can use our budget to benefit all students. We don’t let it go to waste!!! Thank you to those that have already been shopping there and sending the money our way!

Arrival  and/or Dismissal: 
Parents thank you for your feedback on procedures in the a.m. and p.m. We always appreciate hearing from you and do our best to accommodate everyone for the safety of our students. We now have the back parking lot opening at 7:25-7:40a.m. for car riders. Please be mindful that we have buses unloaded prior to 7:25 and I would like to keep Buses ONLY during this time for the safety of so many students unloaded. I appreciate you understanding. 

PTA News  
 
It is not too late to complete your Welcome Back Form online and order your  2013-2014 new Tiger Spirit Shirt:  Go to our PTA website, tuscanyheightspta.org, and complete your online Welcome Back registration. You can join T.H.E. PTA, give a Campin' for Cash donation, order a directory/tributes/shout outs, and purchase new 2013-2014 spirit shirts and other spirit items!  All spirit orders will be delivered to your child's classroom by Thursday, Sept. 12. Click here to begin your Welcome Back  Registration 

Back to School Box Tops Contest and HEB Bonus Box Tops Promo now-9/17: This is an easy way to earn money for our school! For every 15 Box Tops for Education products purchased at HEB from September 4th - 17th, you will receive 100 Bonus Box Tops. That is $10 extra dollars!  If you purchase 10 Box Tops for Education products, you will receive 60 Bonus Box Tops. That's an extra $6!  Be shopping for products that have Box Tops for Education during this time to get your Bonus Box Tops printed right at the
register.  Contest information and collection sheets will be sent home in backpacks this week.  

We need you! Volunteer at Tuscany Heights! Volunteer Orientation, Tuesday, Sept. 10th, 10 AM,: Join our VP of Volunteers, Donna Oyler, in the computer lab to learn how to access PTO Manager (our online volunteer program) and  how to log your hours from home on V-volunteer. This interactive session will get you ready to volunteer on campus and home, plus answer any questions you may have about being a Tuscany volunteer! For more info, please contact Donna Oyler at volunteers@tuscanyheightspta.org 
 
Calling all Library Volunteers! Library Orientation, Wednesday, 9/11, 9 AM:
Come meet our new librarian, Mrs. Johnson, and learn about volunteering in the
  library. You will have an opportunity to sign up for volunteer shifts as well.
  For more information, please contact Kim House at library@tuscanyheightspta.org.

Parents,

Let me begin by saying "Thank you" for the incredible turn out at HEB last night!  We needed 100 guest to earn $1,000 from HEB and we exceeded that expectation.  We had around 350-400 guests!!!!  It was such a great turn out that I asked for a bonus for our school. We will just have to see, but if not...we earned $1000 plus $100 gift card for each of our clubs that were represented last night.  Thank you for supporting our school and HEB with this fundraiser. It was great seeing all of you.

CAR RIDER - Some of you saw me this morning while experimenting with sending some of our Mountain Lodge cars through the back driveway for drop off.  We are trying to alleviate the long line that we are experiencing now that Wilderness Oak is open through to Canyon Golf.  We will continue to give this a try once the last bus has entered.  Therefore, we are opening it up to cars (we will direct traffic) starting at 7:25-7:40. After 7:40, the back door is locked and there will not be staff and safety patrol students out back by the cafeteria, so please come through the front driveway.  Traffic should not be a concern at that time with this new trial procedure. We will keep you updated as we experiment with the most effective and efficient drop off for our students.  I do appreciate your feedback and hope you know that we do listen and try our best to accommodate all.

Have a great night!

Thank you,
Tara Bailey