Sunday, August 28, 2011

Volunteer Blues......

I hope that each of you enjoyed the first week back at school.  I really hope that each of your kids enjoyed it.  Colton did great.  He really likes his teacher and things are going smoothly so far.  Macy is settling into middle school but still nervous about being late for class (don't think she has gone to the bathroom at school, yet).  But overall, things are going well.

I don't know if you guys feel like I do, but it is hard going from summer relaxation to the hectic school week.  Feeling like you are constantly in a hurry to get somewhere or do something, needing to buy a million school supplies or clothes and being asked to volunteer every which way you turn.  I think the key with volunteering is to find a balance between doing something that really helps someone and doing something you really enjoy doing.  If you can do both, you are golden.  I really like planning parties, so I enjoy being homeroom parent and serving on the social committees of both schools.  Being president has been really interesting and I feel like I have made a difference, especially with communication between the school and parents, so I feel good about that.

Is there something that you enjoy doing?  Perhaps you have a skill or hobby; taking pictures, organizing, leading, asking for donations, working with books?  All of these things translate into great volunteer opportunities.  There are some parents who own businesses that donate to the school.  That is huge.  There are so many opportunities to help at the school.  The most important thing is to find a way to help that makes you happy and doesn't add stress to your already busy life.

This Tuesday is volunteer orientation at DCE.  We are meeting in the cafeteria at 9 am.  If you can attend, it would be great.  The committee chairs will go over the different volunteer opportunities at DCE.  There will be a chance to sign up for committees.  NO PRESSURE.  This is about finding the right spot for you.  Next week in the newsletter, there will be a place for you (and your spouse) to go and choose areas of volunteering that appeal to you.  That way when those events role around, you will receive information about the event and you can sign up to help at that time.

Speaking for the PTO, your help is REALLY APPRECIATED.  Speaking for Mr. McLain (I know he won't mind), your help is critical to the functioning of the school and he and the whole staff thanks you for your time and energy.  You do make a difference.

Thank you for all you do,
Lisa

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Welcome to the new year!

Hello everyone.  I started this blog one year ago.  It has been so much fun for me and I hope it has helped those of you who follow it.  When my oldest child started at Denton Creek 6 years ago, I couldn't find any information out there to tell me what to expect.  I relied on the few friends that I knew for information (still love those friends today).  It is my hope that this blog can help along with the newsletter to fill in the gaps of what the school tells us.  Thank you for reading....

What to expect the first day of school...
If you are new to DCE, you may not be prepared for the first day of school.  Let me start by suggesting you get to school REALLY EARLY.  Parking is a super challenge.  If you live within walking distance, seriously consider walking (you will thank me later even after sweating through your clothes).  DO NOT PARK IN THE FIRE LANES (you will be ticketed, yep, they are always watching).  Bring your camera and your video camera.  Not everyone's parents drop them off, that is ok.  However, the majority do.  You will be able to walk your child directly to their classroom on the first day and help them to get settled.  You can take pics of them at their desk and with their teacher.  Most kiddos tend to dress up a little on the first day of school, however, they could still have PE, so always have a pair of tennis shoes in their bag for them to change into if they have PE.  Now that Macy is going into middle school, I am pretty sure she isn't going to let me come and take her picture with her teacher or even set foot into the school, so I will miss doing that for her.  Enjoy it while you can.  It goes too quickly.

You are not allowed to eat with your child for the first week of school.  This gives them a chance to get settled in the routine before the parents come and throw it off.  That being said, I was always there the first chance I could get.

After you drop off your kiddo, you can make the long trek back to your car (cry or jump for joy, whatever floats your boat).  Be sure that if you are planning to pick your child up by car that you arrive EXTRA EARLY as the car pool lanes are crazy the first week of school.  You can ask your teacher when you drop off your kiddo, which car pool lane is the one for you.  It changes a bit each year.  Last year the loop in front of the gym was for k-1 and carpools.  The loop in front of the cafeteria was for 2-5.  Again, be sure to ask at dropoff.  Also be careful to follow the directions on the signs.  If you are in the cafeteria loop, you can ONLY TURN LEFT when exiting.  If you are in the gym loop, you can ONLY TURN RIGHT.  Doing something other than what is posted on the sign is annoying to all the people who are stuck behind you waiting and also is illegal.  Please follow the signs.  The teachers will make sure your little guys and gals get to the right cars.  DCE hasn't lost a kiddo yet.  They do a great job.

Best wishes for a great year!

Thanks for reading,
Lisa Johnson
DCE PTO President