Update from the Leopold PFO for the week of March 10, 2014

Spanish Translation on Website / Traducción español en sitio Web
El sitio web de PFO (leopoldpfo.com) ahora tiene un botón para la traducción española!
The PFO website (leopoldpfo.com) now has a button for Spanish translation!

PFO Meeting
Our next PFO family meeting will be Tuesday, March 11 at 7 pm in the Leopold library. Everyone is welcome to attend! We will be having Mr. Beaman, our REACH science teacher talk to us about the REACH science program. Every Leopold student spends time in Mr. Beaman's class during the school year so come find out what fun and exciting things they're up to in this unique program. Mr. Budd, 3rd grade teacher, will talk about fun math activities and how parents can support math skills at home for kids of all ages. Both will be able to answer questions parents have as well. We will also have a quick PFO update as well as a principal update. If you need childcare other than Open Schoolhouse, please let me know in advance.


2014 Timber Wolf Trample T-shirt design contest
The PFO is holding a t-shirt design contest for our "official" Trample t-shirts. Entry forms have been sent home with kids, are available in the office, and will be online as well. All Leopold students are welcome and encouraged to enter their design! Entries are due this Friday, March 16! Previous t-shirts for idea purposes can be found here.

Timber Wolf Trample Sponsorship
A major component of the Trample, as well as a significant funding source for many of our activities and events throughout the year, is the sponsorship campaign. Businesses are asked to donate toward our event, and in return, they receive advertising on our materials. If you work at, or know of, a business that might be interested in becoming a 2014 Timber Wolf Trample sponsor, please contact Pam Baumartner ([email protected]) so that we can add them to our list. You do not have to ask for the sponsorship (although you are welcome to, personal connections always work best), as Pam is also happy to add them to her contact list.

This year we will again be offering family sponsorships - get your name on our Trample t-shirt and support our school too! Watch for more information soon.


Spring Grounds Cleanup
Please mark your calendars for our spring grounds cleanup on April 26 from 9 am-12 pm. We will work on cleaning up our grounds and getting the garden ready for spring, as well as some possible playground improvements. Many hands make light work so we encourage families and neighbors to join in a fun day of taking pride in our school. More information will come about how you can play an active role in making our school and community look great!

Leopold Garage Sale
Calling bargain hunters and closet cleaners! The Leopold garage sale is scheduled for April 5. Items to donate for the garage sale can be brought in on Friday, April 4 (drop-off time to be determined). Mrs. Czech is organizing the garage sale and would like a few parent volunteers to help out! If you are interested in helping (and getting a first look at the goods), you can email Mrs. Czech at [email protected].

Leopold Staff Leadership Update
At Leopold’s Leadership Team meeting on Wednesday, February 26, the team discussed outcomes of a district leadership team summit that was attended by groups of staff members from all MMSD schools including Leopold.  The general consensus among the Leopold Leadership Team was that we continue to make good progress toward meeting the goals of our school’s SIP plan.  We have made strong gains as compared to many other MMSD schools on the implementation of Close Reading across our school.  (Close Reading is the explicit use of text dependent questions to guide students’ understanding of literature, often non-fiction texts.)  As the February 26 meeting continued, the Team discussed a focused leverage point that could be used to influence student academic gains for the remainder of the year across all classrooms.  The Team chose Shared Reading as this leverage point.  Shared Reading incorporates grade level texts, an objective aligned to the Common Core State Standards , and combines elements of Close Reading, Gradual Release of Responsibility, and informal assessment.  Shared Reading sets the stage for guided practice instruction.  The expectation is that Shared Reading will be used at a minimum of four out of five days each week across all classrooms.  Continued professional development opportunities will be made available to teachers and staff in the area of Shared Reading.


COMMUNITY NEWS





Dessert, Dance and Diapers
An evening of fun while supporting the Good Neighbors Personal Essentials Pantry

Saturday, March 22 - 7 p.m., Madison Christian Community (Advent Lutheran and Community of Hope UCC), 7118 Old Sauk Rd. Madison


Music by Chance Allies. Desserts from the congregations supporting the Good Neighbors Personal Essentials Pantry. Dancing by … you.

Join us for a delightful Saturday evening of music from the stunning Chance Allies group as they perform a new selection of light jazz and pop standards. You can sample desserts as you sit at tables and get up to dance when the mood strikes you. And bring along a packet or two of children’s diapers that we can give out at the pantry.

Suggested minimum $10 donation for tickets and there will be a free-will basket for the desserts, wine and soft drinks.




More information about Chance Allies is here http://www.tishabrown.com/chance-allies/


More information about the Good Neighbors Personal Essentials Pantry is here http://www.gnpep.net/