Don't Forget to Vote Today! ~ No Se Olvide Votar Hoy!

Vote Today!

Don't forget to vote today!  The children of Texas are counting on you!    Polls are open until 7:00 pm!

Texas PTA 408 West 11th Street Austin, Texas 78701-2113

Memorial Day - Hyperthermia Awareness

A message from Texas PTA and Safe Kids May, 2012 Temperatures in central Texas are reaching into the mid 90's this Memorial Day weekend. Texas PTA and Safe Kids are asking you to be aware of the risks of hyperthermia, or heat stroke. Texas leads the nation in hot car child deaths, and it is so very important for all of us to be vigilant, and never leave our children alone in a car.   A demonstration by Safe Kids showing that when the temperature is only in the 80's outside, it can be well over 100 degrees inside a vehicle. In this case, it is nearly 30 degrees hotter inside the truck than it is outside. Passersby Rescue Child From Hot Car Kyle, Texas This past Tuesday, May 22nd, some passersby in Kyle, Texas noticed a baby who had been left alone in a car in the parking lot of a Ross department store. The quick thinking onlookers were able to get the child out of the car, and alert authorities. Read the original article. "Baby Reminder" App - FREE for iPhone Apple, Inc. This free app from Apple reminds you to not forget your child in the car. Simply set the days and time intervals in which you usually drive your children. Baby Reminder will automatically monitor and determine when you are driving and when not. An alert reminding you not to forget your baby in the car will be sent shortly after you arrive at your destination. Link to Baby Reminder ACT with Safe Kids Safe Kids has developed the acronym ACT to link together the simple heat stroke prevention steps. This is printed below but can also be accessed online by clicking HERE. Avoid heat stroke-related injury and death by: Never leaving your child alone in the car, even for a minute. Consistently locking unattended vehicle doors and trunks. Create reminders and habits that give you and your child's caregiver a safety net: Establish a peace-of-mind plan. When you drop off your child, make a habit of calling or texting all other caregivers, so all of you know where your child is at all times. Place a purse, briefcase, gym bag, cell phone or an item that is needed at your next stop in a back seat. Set the alarm on your cell phone or computer calendar as a reminder to drop your child off at childcare. Take action if you see an unattended child in a vehicle: Dial 911 immediately and follow the instructions that emergency personnel provide - they are trained to determine if a child is in danger Hyperthermia Awareness Child Rescued From Hot Car Free "Baby Reminder" App Safe Kids and Texas PTA Safe Kids is committed to educating parents and caregivers about the risks of hyperthermia (heat stroke) because statistics show these incidents can happen anytime during the year.  That is why Safe Kids and Texas PTA are encouraging you to never leave your child alone in a car.

Protest Letter: Library Clerks

Greetings Wildcats! 

We've already had many parents respond to our news about the elimination of library clerks in the FWISD. Thank you! Your names will be added to the formal protest letter (see below). It's not to late to add your name as a supporter. Simply e-mail southhillspta@gmail.com and we'll put you on the list. Many thanks!

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To: Mr. Walter Dansby, Dr. Sylvia Reyna, Mr. Robert Ray, Mr. Hank Johnson, Mr. Sammy Monge, Mr. Joe Ralph Martinez (Board of Education Trustee), Mr. T.A. Sims (Board of Education President)

From: Concerned Parents of South Hills Elementary School

We were greatly dismayed to learn that the Fort Worth Independent School District is proposing to cut as many as 84 staff members who fill crucial support roles within our schools. These individuals are among the District’s lowest paid employees, who continue to pursue their career because it makes a positive impact on our schools and students. These cuts equate to a paltry $3.5 million “savings” toward the overall $40 million shortfall. The negative impact on our students, however, is incalculable.

We are particularly troubled by the proposal to eliminate library clerks.

Library clerks allow librarians to teach their lessons and work with students on curriculum, as well as instill a love of reading that will benefit them for the rest of their lives. Without clerks to assist with circulation, shelving and other administrative tasks, librarians will have to cut some of their services to the students. Maybe less time for the Accelerated Reader program, less circulation, less library time, less research and/or curriculum lessons, less read-alouds...

Which of these services—things that directly impact students—do you propose librarians cut back on?

Other options need to be explored before steps are taken to eliminate clerks.

The lack of a library clerk would severely impact South Hills Elementary. With a student body of 800+, our librarian will spend most of her time on administrative tasks. What an absolute waste of her talent. And a terrible disservice to our students.

We strongly urge you to consider other budget cutting measures that keep our schools’ much needed support staff intact.

Respectfully,

[Names]

The Annual Mayor's Summer Reading Challenge May 26 - August 5.

Calling all readers! The annual Mayor's Summer Reading Challenge runs May 26-August 5.

The program is open to participants of all ages, and everyone is eligible to win some great prizes — including iPads, Kindle Fires, Nooks, netbook computers and museum memberships. It’s easy to get started, just stop by your local Fort Worth Library location and pick up a reading card.

And remember, the Summer Reading Challenge isn’t just about reading — the Library has fun programs, too! Throughout June and July, our library locations and Early Childhood Matters centers will present children and adult's programs that are both entertaining and educational.

It all wraps up with a Grand Celebration on Sunday, Aug. 12, 1 - 5 p.m. at the Central Library. We’ll have live music, story tellers and free refreshments!  Plus, we will announce the winners of our grand prizes. The Grand Celebration is open to the public and is a great way for the whole family to conclude a summer of reading and fun!

The Summer Reading Challenge is co-sponsored by The Friends of the Fort Worth Public Library, Inc., and The Fort Worth Public Library Foundation. To learn more, call 817-392-7745.

Teacher Appreciation Week!

Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week is this week, May 7-11th!

Let's show all of our teachers how much we appreciate them, 
they don't know so this will be a surprise!

Esta semana, Mayo 7-11, es Semana de Gratitud para los Maestros!

Vamos a demostrarles cuanto los apreciamos, ellos no lo saben sera una sorpresa!

Monday - Bring a piece of fruit

Lunes - Traiga una fruta

Tuesday - Bring a flower

Martes - Una flor

Wednesday - Write a thank you note

Miercoles - Escribe una nota de gratitud

Thursday - Draw a picture

Jueves - Un dibujo

Friday - A special treat of your choice!

Viernes - Algo especial que usted quiera escoger

Office Volunteer Needed!

DESPERATELY SEEKING OFFICE VOLUNTEERS!!!

No experience required    •     Loves people J • Great personality J 

Hard worker J •    Know their ABC’s

To do the following:

•  Make copies (will train)

• Filing

• Paper work

•   Put mail in teacher boxes

• Office work J

Hours- 1 hour to all day - Days- one day a week to every day

Pay- The reward of volunteering at your child’s school and helping out the overworked and underpaid. J

Contact Veronica Garcia-Lopez @ 817-814-5800