Dunwoody Springs Elementary School PTA

For those interested in honoring the accomplishments of Martin Luther King, Jr. -

The City of Sandy Springs will pay tribute to the legacy of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a community celebration to be held at 10 a.m. on January 16, 2012. The celebration will be held in the Sandy Springs City Hall Council Chambers located at 7840 Roswell Road, Building 500, Sandy Springs, GA 30350. The event will feature music, speakers and the presentation of the 2012 Humanitarian Award.

“Dr. King advocated for a society that worked together to help those who needed an extra hand. It is fitting that we take a day to reflect on his message of community support and goodwill,” said Sandy Springs Mayor Eva Galambos.

Commitment to community service is the hallmark of the City’s Humanitarian Award, presented during the morning’s celebration, to an indivdiual who has shown exemplimary dedication to providing community outreach and support. Sandy Springs resident Melanie Noble-Couchman was honored in 2011 for her efforts including the formation of the Couchman-Noble Foundation to assist and provide hands-on programs for at risk populations and her work with organizations including the Sandy Springs Education Force and the After School All Stars program.

Georgia Supreme Court Justice Harold D. Melton will be the Keynote Speaker during the morning’s celebration. Justice Melton was appointed to the state’s highest court in 2005. Previously, Melton served as Executive Counsel to Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue. Justice Melton helped safeguard Georgia’s interests in water rights disputes with Alabama and Florida, and actively participated in administration efforts to advance the delivery of criminal justice services in the state.

There is no cost to attend the event. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, please visit us online at www.sandyspringsga.gov, or call the Citizen Response Center at 770-730-5600.

Okay, after having been completely silent for months, you now wonder why I can’t seem to stop posting.  Actually, this week, people have forwarded me several amazing events, and I want to share them with you.

First, this Sunday you can name your admission price at the High Museum of Art.

Pay what you wish all day at the museum from noon to 5 p.m. This is a great chance to view the special exhibitions, including the Picasso to Warhol exhibition.

Last entry at 4 p.m. Walk-up tickets only, regularly $18 for adults. High Museum of Art, 1280 Peachtree St., N.E., Atlanta. 404-733-4444.

And now, the special coupon.  I received a telephone call from Lands End inviting me to share a special coupon code.  They are having a sale for up to 30% off their items.  When you order a product on line at www.landsend.com, use the promotional code BUTTON, and the pin no. is 6220.  This offer is good through January 17.

Have a great Thursday!  And start cooking that chili!

Sandy Springs Recreation and Parks is hosting a Free Winter Festival.  Be sure to take the family!  And, having brought the teachers your yummy chili that morning (not-so-subtle hint), you deserve the time off as well.

Ages: All ages welcome!
Fee: FREE
Date: January 13, 2012
Time: 4:00 — 8:00 p.m.
Location: SSUMC Hitson Memorial Activities Center
85 Mount Vernon Highway

Winter is here, let’s celebrate! Dress warm and enjoy the winter season with the Recreation and Parks Department. Bring the entire family out for an evening of activities featuring a marshmallow roast, hot cocoa, popcorn, concessions, carnival games, tiny town cars, kiddie train, a KidzArt® crafts station, a “Georgiastyle” sledding hill and a snow play area!

We can’t wait to see you there!

Thank you,
Sandy Springs Recreation & Parks Department

City of Sandy Springs R&P
705 Hammond Drive
Sandy Springs, GA
30328

Let’s make some art!!! The 2011 Reflections Art Contest has begun!

This is such a great program to let your child express themselves through their artwork and be recognized for it! Plus, it’s really easy to enter! All your child has to do is create a piece of art in one or more of six areas, relating to this year’s theme: “Diversity Means…”. Ask your child what this means to them and discuss! Help them get their artistic juices going, and portray what ’diversity’ means to them.

The six categories are: Literature, Musical composition, Photography, Visual Arts (ex. drawing, painting, print making, and collage), Dance choreography and Film/video production. Enter one or more categories! Every student that enters the contest will be recognized in an awards ceremony!

The due date for all entries is MONDAY OCTOBER 10. Just ask your child’s teachers for detailed rules and entry forms OR go online -

http://georgiapta.org/resources-student-reflections.html.

Parents, we need your help to encourage your child to participate in this wonderful program, and see the artist in them shine J !

I am adding below links to some of the primary (elementary school) winning items last year with hope they can inspire the artist in your house.  Check out these and the other winning submissions at http://www.ptareflections.org/cs/program_gallery .

Visual Arts:

Photography:

Literature: pta-reflections.2010 lit winner

Dance Choreography:  pta-reflections 2010 dance winner 

Musical Composition: Beauty is Music

Film Production:  Tollgate Childrens Garden

Happy Friday Everyone!

I hope you are having a great September.  Can you believe that school started a month ago?

Picture Day. I hope you child looked his or her best for Picture day today.  If you are like me and forgot to turn in your order form, you will be very excited to learn that you can order your pictures on line.  Go to http://www.mylifetouch.com  and enter the Picture Day ID AG201426Y0.

Block Party.  The DSES Block Party is next Saturday, September 24.  You can believe that I won’t forget; my kids are so excited that they remind me daily. If you haven’t volunteered, there are still some positions available.  I believe that the morning slots are filled, but I doubt that anyone will turn you away.   Contact Robin Winner robint06@aim.com if you would like to volunteer.   I am working a 2-4 pm slot, so come by and say hello.

Reflections.  This is an awesome nationwide PTA program that brings out the artist in each child.  This competition is available to all students, grades Pre-K to 12^th grade.  Each participant creates a project in one of six areas:  literature, musical composition, photography, dance choreography, film / video production, or visual arts (drawing, painting, printmaking, collage).  Each submission is judged at the school level, and winners advance to the next level until they reach the national competition.

You should have received a letter explaining this program, and I am going to attempt to link the letter DSES PTA Reflections.   This year’s theme is “Diversity means. . . .”  Entries are due Monday, October 10.  For more information, see http://georgiapta.org/resources-student-reflections.html.

Volunteer Day.  This Thursday, Sept. 22, is Volunteer Day at DSES.  Come by and give a hand to the teachers and staff:  listen to the children read, laminate class projects, shelve books in the library.  I volunteered last spring, and I thought it was a great way to meet other parents, teachers and staff.  It also reminded me how much work is needed to provide this level of education to our students.  And if that weren’t enough incentive, I think you even get free coffee.

Lunch N Learn.  Once you have finished volunteering, stroll to the media center for some Adult Education.  At noon, Cynthia Roman from the Latin American Association is providing a workshop about Adult Education, Family Services, Employment and Youth, and Academic Achievement for a Successful School Year.   This should be an amazing workshop.

Comcast Deal. Comcast has a program offering families a $150 Netbook and to purchase internet access at their homes for $9.95/month.  To qualify, you must (1) Be located where Comcast offers Internet service, (2) Have at least one child receiving free school lunches through the National School Lunch Program; (3)  Have not subscribed to Comcast Internet service within the last 90 days, and (4) Not have an overdue Comcast bill or unreturned equipment.  For more information, check out http://www.internetessentials.com/how/index.html.

And Finally, Some Weekend Fun.  The weather should be great this weekend – a perfect excuse to attend the 2011 Sandy Springs Festival located at Heritage Green, 6075 Sandy Springs Circle, Sandy Springs, Georgia.  The two-day festival features a car show, a pet parade, a 5K and 10K race, lots of vendors, food and fun.  Tickets are $5 per adult, $2 per child age 6 and over, and free for children age 5 and younger.  Two-day passes are also available.  For details, check out http://www.sandyspringsfestival.com/

On that festive note, have a great weekend!