October 2006

Council Connection

Lewisville Council of PTAs

October 2006 - Vol 1, Issue 1

In This Issue
	Texas PTA Convention Special Needs November Speaker Dressed To Learn Early Voting Arts in Education Destination ImagiNation Parent Education Bowling for Scholars 2007

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	Lewisville Council of PTAs Area 16 PTA Texas PTA National PTA LISD LISD Education Foundation Communities in Schools

Welcome!

Welcome to the first edition of the LISD Council of PTAs electronic newsletter. We hope you find this format an easy-to-use and informative tool for your PTA. Please feel free to forward the information to your PTA boards. The 2006-2007 school year has been quite productive and active thus far. Your Council of PTAs conducted an Officer and Chairman Training the end of August, eight Leader Orientation Trainings, a roundtable discussion about getting Dads involved in PTA, and three community “40 Developmental Assets” programs. Look for information coming soon on a roundtable discussion about increasing parent involvement. Please let us know if your PTA is in need of additional training, or if you have ideas for future programs or roundtable discussions you would like to see offered. You are our members, and we are here to serve you! Be sure to watch our website, for upcoming events and information. Also check the Texas PTA website, frequently for deadlines, forms, information, and upcoming events. Check the back of your 2006-2007 PTA Membership Card for the username and password to get into the Members Only section! Congratulations on a terrific start to the 2006-2007 school year! Let us know if we can assist your PTA in any way. Susanne Hutchinson President 972-355-6668

Texas PTA Convention

Register now for Texas PTA Convention in San Antonio Feb. 9-11! Registration materials and hotel information can be found at TXPTA.org. Training should be a top priority for each PTA, and Convention is one of the best places to get it! Come take workshops, parenting classes, stroll the vendor fair, check out parent education programs, vote on legislative resolutions, and meet PTA leaders from all over the state! Early bird registration ends Dec. 15, and hotel rooms book up early, so be sure to register today! More info...

Special Needs

The charge of the Special Needs Committee is to serve the Special Education PTSA, as well as the Early Childhood PTA’s in our district. This will be a year of determining what the needs of these special PTA’s are and facilitating communication in order to meet those needs. I welcome any suggestions and questions both from these groups and from those wishing to learn more about these groups. Our Early Childhood groups continue to be an active and dynamic part of our LISD PTA community, providing activities, support, friendships and education for parents of children age newborn through preschool. Our district boasts 4 of these PTA’s: Greater Lewisville, Carrollton, and The Colony, as well as one associated with Lillie Jackson Early Childhood Education Center. The Greater Lewisville Special Education PTSA was formed last year and has done a tremendous job serving our special education community by serving as a resource, providing support, and educating with informative programs on issues that affect students and families who receive special education services. SEPTSA is still working hard to spread the word about their group throughout the district. Both faculty and parents, as well as anyone with an interest in special needs or special education students are encouraged to join. Among the exciting developments in this group is the creation of a an online chat group. This is a great forum for sharing information and resources as well as asking questions! In addition, an excellent special needs provider directory has been assembled, which they are more than willing to share with anyone who may need it. To receive a copy, contact Amy Turner. For more details about SEPTSA, visit their website. For information or questions regarding any of the Early Childhood or Special Education PTA’s, contact: Stacey Amick Special Needs 972-874-1199

November Speaker

Zella Tyson, Executive Director of PediPlace, spoke at our October Council meeting about the efforts of this children’s medical clinic in Lewisville. Donations were collected from delegates for items to be included in gift bags given out during “first-time mom” classes at PediPlace. November brings Diane Pierce, former Texas State PTA President, to help us learn our “True Colors”. She will present this Texas PTA Program that identifies four distinct personality groups. You will get a chance to determine which one best describes you. Diane will explain how knowing our personality and the others on our board will help us work better as a PTA. Be prepared to laugh and learn about yourself. The Lewisville Council has been working closely with Communities In Schools since last Spring on partnering to bring the Texas PTA program “Building the REAL American Idol – 40 Developmental Assets” to our community. One event has already taken place on September 21st at Hedrick Elementary and another one will be help October 18th at DeLay Middle School. The program was also presented at the September 29th Presidents & Principals Luncheon sponsored by the Council. There has been great feedback regarding this program and we hope that many more schools partner together to bring this important information to our parents. Thank you to Cici’s Pizza in Lewisville for helping us provide pizza for the families that attended Hedrick Elementary and DeLay Middle Schools events. Please let me know if you have questions about this or any other program offered through Texas PTA. Parent Education is a priority for every PTA. Kris Vaughn 1st VP: Programs 214-513-8359

Dressed To Learn

Easy as 1..2..3 Since the spring of 2004, Dressed to Learn has been helping students with basic clothing needs arrive to school Dressed to Learn! PTAs such as yours can help. Select a method based on what will work at your school. Here are some choices: Conduct a new clothing drive - cold weather gear such has hooded sweatshirts, coats, gloves, hast and scarves; socks, underwear. Conduct a Coin Drive - "Dimes for Duds" is an excellent way to involve students and families. The monetary donation will be used to purchase exactly what is needed for uniform campuses where the need is greatest. Extra funds in your PTA budget? Consider a financial donation to the DTL program. Gift Cards - Wal Mart gift cards can be used by the campus manger to directly assist a student with their school clothing needs. Just let Dressed to Learn chairman, Jan Picardi, know what your campus has planned and she can help with the details. Jan Picardi Dressed to Learn 972-539-7643 Donate a gently used or new coat, get a coupon for a free pizza!

Early Voting

Nov. 7 General Election Early Voting Before Election Day, you may vote at any of the following locations. On Election Day, you must vote at the location at which your precinct is assigned. You may call the Denton County elections office at 940-349-3200 if you do not know your precinct. You can also visit Denton County Elections. Early voting will be at the following locations on these dates: Monday, October 23 – Friday, October 27 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Saturday, October 28 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Sunday, October 29 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Monday, October 30 – Friday, November 3 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Sanday Jacobs Gov't Center 1029 W. Rosemeade Carrollton Flower Mound Police/Court Bldg. 4150 Kirkpatrick Flower Mound Lewisville Municipal Annex 1197 W. Main St. Lewisville Highland Village Municipal Complex 1000 Highland Village Rd. Highland Village Carrollton Public Library 4220 N. Josey Carrollton The Colony Gov't Center 6301 Main St. The Colony Jeanell Spearman Legislative Chairman 972-662-1622

Arts in Education

Welcome to "My Favorite Place", this year's Reflections program! We had 21 Arts in Education Chairmen in our August training, and another 5 in the September class! It was good to meet everyone and work with such an enthusiastic group. The Chairmen's' enthusiasm is a great thing because we have two new categories this year. Our students can enter Dance Choreography and Film/Video production in addition to the original Visual Art, Photography, Music and Literary Arts categories. With the two new categories, the Chairmen chose to gather in one place with one set of judges and help each other through the process. With everything being a bit more involved in Film and Dance, we thought it would help us all learn, and also help prevent too many problems. This group judging event will take place on Sunday, November 5, at 2 pm, at the new Lewisville Library. This event will be open only to Judges, Council Committee, and as many campus Committee Chairs as we can fit in the room comfortably. This year, TXPTA has given us 'go by' dates for the Reflections program. Using those, student work is due to campus Chairmen by October 31, and work going on to Council due to me by November 30. With the collective Film and Dance judging the first part of November, we do hope this will give schools what you need to do your recognition events as planned. The date for our Council recognition will be January 7, 2007, at 2 pm. Flower Mound High School is once again hosting the event. All students who participate in Reflections this year are welcome to attend. While we cannot call each name individually, they will all be recognized in some way. If you have questions or ahem opportunities, please feel free to contact me. My job is to support the local unit chairmen in any way I can to provide a quality Arts in Education program for our students. Carolle Cox Arts in Education 972-355-6713 More info...

Destination ImagiNation

Kick-Start Your Creativity! A serene view of a mountain lake in a secluded cabin in the woods may seem like the perfect place to help conjure up creative ideas that will win a Newberry or Pulitzer, but such splendor does not work for everyone. Most of us don’t have such a setting available anyway, but from time-to-time we all need to come up with the perfect idea for a scouting project or newsletter article. Here are some suggestions to kick-start your creativity: Give yourself permission to be blocked – don’t be so hard on yourself if the ideas don’t come immediately. Let yourself take a break – sometimes what you need is a rest and not a random due date. Do something else that is creative – if you are trying to write, take time out to make a drawing. Try a new project that will get your mind moving in the right direction. Take time to observe people – go to the post office or the mall and watch people as they go about their business. The stories and ideas will write themselves. Keep a journal – as you think of ideas, have a way to jot them down as you go. Start or change an exercise program – physical activity raises the heart rate and releases endorphins in the brain which will help stimulate alertness and creativity. Change your physical location – this may be what changes your mental perspecitive to make the ideas come. Creativity is not always inherited or an inate character trait. It is a process that is usually developed very deliberately to help deal with life’s problems and opportunities. We are all more creative than we know. Over 350 students have begun this learning process as part of Destination ImagiNation. They will brainstorm, write, research, build, develop and create their DI solutions over the next 5 months in preparation for the regional DI tournament on March 3. Teams are still forming so there is still time to join. For more information about Destination ImagiNation, contact LISD’s DI Facilitator, Robin Napier, at 972-350-3698. You can also visit the regional website at www.tvnc.texasd i.org.

Parent Education

Five Steps to Understand and Get Help for Learning Problems Step 1: Look for signs find out what is normal? Most children have trouble sitting still. Many kids don’t finish their schoolwork. Few children sit through meals without tapping, kicking, or drumming. So how do you know what is normal? Only a doctor can tell you for sure. Behavioral problems don’t happen in only one place, like at school. It may happen every day in the classroom, on the playground, and at home. These can lead to problems with learning, friendships, and family life. Step 2: Learn that certain illnesses and learning disabilities can be treated. ADHD, ADD and certain learning disabilities can make children feel bad about themselves. They may see themselves as failures, when they are not. They need help with this common childhood illnesses. With the right care, children may be able to pay attention, control their behavior, and slow their fast pace. With the illness under control, children can grow, learn, and develop better than before. What are the causes? The exact cause of some learning disabilities has not yet been found. They may run in families. If a parent, uncle, or grandparent has ADHD, other family members may also develop it. Physical differences in parts of the brain may also have something to do with it. There may not be a single cause, but a few things may come together to cause. Step 3: Ask your child’s doctor for help. If you are worried about your child’s behavior, trust your feelings. Ask your child’s doctor for help. Many parents start by taking their child to see a family doctor or pediatrician. Some families go on to see doctors who specialize in childhood problems such as ADHD. These doctors are called “child psychiatrists” or “child psychologists.” Tell the doctor about the behavior that worries you. The doctor will tell you if the cause may have a problem. The doctor will also want to look for other possible causes of the behavior. Sometimes children who are dealing with divorce, death, or other problems act in ways that look like, but aren’t, ADHD. For this reason, your doctor will ask about things that are happening at home. The doctor will also make sure there are no other diseases or disabilities that might be causing your child’s behavior. Medicine and “behavior therapy” are common treatments. Medicine for ADHD can help children pay attention, finishes tasks, and think before they act. Behavior therapy involves meeting with the doctor to work on new skills to make it easier to deal with relationships, rules, limits, and choices. Both medicine and behavior therapy are safe and proven to work. These treatments used together give the best results. Step 4: Talk to your child’s teachers. Your child’s school may be able to help in many ways. Ask if your child is having any problems in the classroom or on the playground. Tell the teachers that your child has a problem or difficulty. List any medications your child takes and explain any other treatments. Find out if your child can get any special services that help with learning. To make sure your child gets all the help he or she needs, you can also talk to a guidance counselor at the school. Step 5: Work together to help your child. Parents, children, teachers, and doctors should work together as members of a team. Together you can set goals for your child and find the right treatment to reach those goals. Some of the goals families can work toward include: Helping children feel better about themselves. Helping children do better in school, Helping children follow classroom and household rules, Helping children make more friends, and Reducing the behaviors that cause problems. Some children with learning disabilities get tutoring or counseling at school. Let your doctor knows about any services provided by the school. Tips for parents: Try to learn as much as you can about the illness or disability. As a parent, trust your thoughts and feelings. You know your child better than anyone else. If you don’t think your child is getting the services he or she needs, speak up. Tell your child’s doctor or school what you think. And don’t stop asking questions. Remember certain illnesses and disabilities can be treated. Keep working to help your child get better. To be your child’s best helper, take good care of yourself and stay healthy. All information in this article was derived from the National Institute of Mental Health, LD OnLine, and About.com: Special Education Submitted by: Eva C. Dinkmeyer Parent Education 817-961-0312

Bowling for Scholars 2007

Dust off your bowling balls and polish your shoes! It’s time to start planning for Bowling for Scholars 2007. This year marks the fourth annual scholarship fundraiser for LISD PTA Council and we need your help! Each year the Council awards two $500 scholarships to graduating seniors at each LISD high school. Without your support, these scholarships are not possible, so mark your calendar for January 20, 2007 and draft your best bowlers now – and don’t forget to bring your kids! For the first time, the tournament will include a Junior Division for ages 6 to 12. Junior Bowlers will enjoy half-price registration and all the fun! Registration fees are $25 per bowler ($12.50 for juniors), with 4- person teams, and include 3 games, shoe rental, and a Bowling for Scholars t-shirt. Morning and afternoon game times will be available. Trophies will be awarded to the top teams, as well as prizes for the school with the most teams. There will also be door prizes and a prize for the best team name. Registration forms are now available on the Council website. You may also contact me with any questions. See you on the lanes! Heather Deputy Bowling for Scholars 469-384-1590

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” ~John Quincy Adams

Newsletter Chairperson

Lewisville Council of PTAs

email: newsletter@lisdpta.org

web: http://lisdpta.org