Fundraising

Calling all CRAFTERS, ARTISTS, and MAKERS

Yes, this means you!!

Consider selling your art/crafts at Irving’s Handmade Holiday Craft Fair, Saturday, December 8, 9:00am to 1:00pm.

Held in conjunction with the Cookie Crumble, this is a great family event with wonderful handmade items for sale by students, parents, local artists, and more.

Cost is $25 per table.  (Irving students pay only $10!)  Table and chairs are provided.

Think stocking stuffers, holiday treats, ornaments, fine art, greeting cards, jewelry, home goods, t-shirts, toys, aprons, scarves, hair accessories, and much more!

Please email Amy at CraftFair@IrvingPTO.com for an application, more information, or to volunteer.  Or pick up an application in the hallway, just outside of the school office.

 

Major Schoolyard Project Update

At the October 30 Board of Education meeting, District 97 staff and their landscape architecture firm, Altamanu, presented a plan for the Irving Schoolyard Project. It was a response to the feedback our team has given District 97 and Altamanu this Fall encouraging them to include plans for not only a playground but for a field as well. One of the main goals of the Schoolyard Project has always been to remove as much of the asphalt as possible.

The plan presented by Altamanu was a very basic outline of two options of playground improvements: one to repair the existing equipment and one to replace it completely. It included two options for a synthetic turf field: one smaller and one larger. And it included options for resurfacing the existing parking lot or moving it to where the current playground is.

The purpose of the board discussion was to provide feedback on funding, planning and partnerships so Altamanu can move ahead with designing a more detailed plan for construction in the summer of 2013.

A lengthy discussion by the board resulted in the following key points:

1. The board was clear and forthcoming in its enthusiastic support for the Schoolyard Project.

2. More time is needed to have a revised plan that includes items the board is in favor of reviewing.

3. They would like more details on including a larger size, multi-purpose field, which requires moving the current parking lot.

4. They want to see a synthetic turf field of some size installed.

5. They want to see options that address adequate lighting. [Note: The type of lights was not clarified. Some lighting for safety at dusk may be sufficient, similar to what exists now around the schoolyard and the parking lot.]

6. They prefer a completely new playground, which would likely have a rubberized surface.

7. They are flexible on the placement of the field, playground and parking, as is the Schoolyard Project team.

8. They are completely committed to improving safety at Irving and it is “mandatory” that something major happen in the summer of 2013.

There will be further discussion at the November 13 Board of Education meeting. This will include more details on the cost of various options of the field, playground and parking.

There will be two opportunities for significant input from Irving families and staff. Our original public input dates of 11/7 and 11/15 had to be postponed so that the board can continue the discussion of financial commitment, which leads into a more detailed plan. We will let you know loud and clear when these next meetings are re-scheduled.

Please try to attend the November 13 Board of Education meeting. It’s at 7pm at the District 97 Admin Building, 970 W. Madison (entrance is on Madison). Your presence shows the board there is support for their financial commitment. For details on the agenda, and minutes of the October 30 meeting, check the District 97 website: http://www.op97.org/board-of-education/Meeting-Packets.cfm

If you have any questions, please contact Margaret Jeschke (margaret_jeschke@yahoo.com) or Laura Crawford (lauracrawford47@gmail.com).

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE SCHOOLYARD PROJECT! WE’RE REALLY GETTING THERE!

Fun Run Final Count
The final numbers are in for the Fun Run. Our families and friends donated a whopping total of $17,307.06 for a total profit for the PTO of $13,407.06! We more than doubled our expected profit!!

The kids heard announcements in school last Friday about who won the incentives, but in case you’re curious:

Ms. Parkinson’s second grade class brought in the highest total of donations to win the Recess Pack of equipment.

First grader Lily Rooks was the top earning student and she received a Fitness Pack of games.

The top six earning students (there was tie for 5th place) will have lunch with their teachers. Congratulations to Lily Rooks, Lilian Walker, Cole Salgado, Andre Marcano, Cami Dunlop and Kaitlyn Dunlop.

The top earning student from each class gets to be gym teacher for a day. They have been notified by now.

And because we blew away our fundraising goal, every student who raised money will receive a certificate to the School Spirit Store. We’re staggering the distribution of these by grade level so we can make sure there’s enough inventory in our tiny, kid-operated storefront. Kindergartners are first since they’re so cute. 😉

It’s safe to say this was so successful that we’ll do it again next year. If you have any suggestions or comments please contact Jen Browning (browning2110@gmail.com) or Laura Crawford (lauracrawford47@gmail.com).

Please share our thanks with your friends and family who contributed!

SAVE THE DATE – 13th ANNUAL COOKIE CRUMBLE

IRVING SCHOOL PRESENTS THE…

JOIN THE IRVING SCHOOL COMMUNITY IN OUR SWEET TRADITION ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8TH.

Each participating family is asked to prepare five dozen of their favorite holiday cookies or confections and deliver them to the office on Friday, December 7th during school hours, or to the mini-gym on Saturday, December 8th between 7:30 & 9:00am. (No chocolate chip, please.)

For more information contact Joyel Hall @ Joyel_hall@yahoo.com.

Thanks for your support!

FLYER