Welcome Back Potluck Picnic and Teacher Experience Auction

Friday September 6th, 5:00 pm, Bowman playground

Join us for a back-to-school family picnic at Bowman on Friday, September 6th, starting at 5pm. It’ll be a great opportunity to connect with other Bowman families as we start off the school year. This year’s welcome back picnic will be a potluck. Bring a favorite dish to share!

New this year will be a Teacher Experience silent auction. Come and bid on an opportunity for your child to spend time with their favorite Bowman teacher or to be a “Principal for a Day” with Ms. Corduck. Teacher experiences will be posted on Facebook and the PTA website leading up to the picnic. All bids must be made in person. 100% of funds raised will go towards PTA programs.

 

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Support Your Child by Supporting Bowman PTO!

Won’t you purchase a membership this fall to support the vital work of the Bowman PTO?

Each year the Bowman PTO spends more than $100 per student (over $60,000 total) to bring in guest speakers aligned with the curriculum, artistic performances, the science fair, the all-new math club, healthy lifestyle programming like running club and BOKS, mini-grants for teachers, and so much more.

We cannot do it without YOU and your family’s support. Nearly 50% of the Bowman PTO budget comes from membership dues and a significant majority of families purchase a membership each year.

In addition to knowing you’re supporting important educational and enrichment opportunities for students, families, and staff, families can receive fun and useful Bowman “swag” for with their membership. Purchase your membership before September 25th and get your swag early this year at Curriculum Night on September 26th!

Go to https://bowmanpto.org/membership/ to check out the swag, pick a membership level, and join today! Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law.

Questions? Email Alison Stevens at [email protected].

Please note: The PTA exists for every member of the Bowman community regardless of financial ability. The Bowman School and the Bowman PTO are committed to ensuring that cost is not a barrier to becoming a member of the PTA or participating in any of the PTA events throughout the year. Please feel free to reach out to Principal Jenny Corduck to privately inquire about financial assistance.

 

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Important Change to Bowman PTO Directory

We want to let you know about an IMPORTANT CHANGE to the Bowman PTO membership directory. My School Anywhere (MSA) has merged with Membership Toolkit. This year the Bowman PTO will be using Membership Toolkit (MTK) to manage our communications, membership, and online directory.

After you receive your teacher placement(s), please go to bowmanpta.membershiptoolkit.com and update your child’s teacher(s). You will need to create a new account at MTK in order to get started, but once you do this you will see that all your contact information has been migrated from the old directory.

Here’s how:

1. Go to bowmanpta.membershiptoolkit.com and create a new account using the same email address you used for MSA last year. You will receive an email confirmation from MTK with a link to log in.
2. Update your contact information, and add your teacher’s name(s) when you log in to Membership Toolkit for the first time. Your contact information from MSA should already be there.
3. Join or renew your PTA membership through the new online store at MTK.

 

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Math Team News

New this year! – Bowman Math team will be run by PTA parent volunteers. For 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. Registration is open until September 6, 2019. Registration will be limited to approximately 25 students per grade with lottery selection if there are an excess of applications. Math team meets before school at 7:15am, with each grade on a different day: 3rd grade on Tuesdays, 4th grade on Fridays, and 5th grade on Wednesdays. Email [email protected] for information and registration instructions.

 

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Are you in the Bowman PTO Online Directory?

The Bowman PTO uses Membership Toolkit (MTK) to manage its online student/family directory and PTA membership. We strongly suggest that ALL families register in MTK to confirm contact information and ASSIGN your child’s teacher. This allows the PTA to keep you up to date with our weekly emails and grade-specific notifications; and it’s a great way for you to be able to send out party invitations or coordinate playdates with classmates!

If you were already part of the directory, then you should have received an email with a link to update your information for this year. If you are new to Bowman, you can register here and become a member of the Bowman PTO family.

 

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Volunteers Needed!

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Big Back Yard – Two More Big Back Yard Volunteer Coordinators Needed at Bowman

The BBY group is looking for two more coordinators to help ensure this amazing program runs easily this year. The coordinator would assist in training other parents during the school day periodically throughout the year or helping to schedule walks which takes place anytime online. Please contact us ASAP at [email protected]

Big BackYard Volunteers

Join us for an Interactive Overview of Lexington’s K-5 Big Backyard Program

The BBY Program gets children out of the classroom and into nature!

This year we celebrate over 25 years of environmental education in our elementary schools. Three times a year, students explore the schoolyard through seasonal activities that connect to classroom science explorations.

Want to volunteer for Big Backyard but wonder what’s involved?

Learn more through our interactive Big Backyard Basics orientation. The following topics will be shared:

• The principles and philosophy of the program
• The walk activities and teaching strategies used in the field
• An introduction to the exciting plants and animals you may encounter during walk explorations

Participants need only bring curiosity, an appreciation for the natural world and a desire to help children learn about life in their own backyard.

When: Tuesday, September 17, 2019, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. or Wednesday September 18, 201, 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Volunteers attend only one training

Where: Lexington Public Schools, Central Office Building (lower level Classroom, TBD)

Visit here for more details.

 

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Bowman Library Volunteers Needed!

Library volunteers help students check out books, check in and shelve books, and help keep the library organized. We hope you will consider giving your care and energy to the Bowman Library. Our library volunteers are a lovely group of parents who typically return year after year because it’s a great place to volunteer!

Kindergarten parent volunteers are especially needed! Please contact Kate Babineau and Megan Wilson asap at [email protected] if you are interested in volunteering

 

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Be a Bowman Room Parent

Each fall, 3+ parents per classroom volunteer to become Room Parents. It’s a GREAT way to get to know your child’s teacher, classmates, and other parents better. Room Parents divide up tasks, which typically include organizing classroom parties, communicating with classroom families, collecting and allocating classroom funds, and coordinating volunteers for activities such as Big Backyard nature walks. Parents can choose tasks which fit their schedule.

Want to Learn More?

Come to a Room Parent Orientation (Optional, but recommended for new RPs – pick ONE)

*Monday, September 9, 7:30-8:15 PM (evening meeting) at a private home (RSVP to [email protected] for location)

**Tuesday, September 10, 8:45-9:30 AM at the Bowman Playground Shade Structure

To become a Room Parent, sign up here (complete a new form for each classroom)

 

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Seeking Family Friends for the METCO Program

The METCO Program is seeking families to volunteer as METCO Family Friends for students at Bowman. The Family Friends play dates are typically one Thursday per month during the school year (beginning in October), after school until 2:50pm. As a METCO Family Friend, the METCO student matched to you is dismissed from school with your child on those half-day Thursdays.

If you have questions or interest in the METCO Family Friends program, please email [email protected] to reach Lisa Premerlani and Taleen Gleeson, the METCO Family Friends coordinators for Bowman.

 

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Lunch Time Composting

If you’re interested in composting, helping the environment, or just seeing what really goes on in the cafeteria, help out with the lunchtime composting program!

Parent volunteers help direct students throughout the lunch period to the compost, recycling, and trash receptacles. All of Bowman’s food waste is now diverted from the trash to our partner, Black Earth Compost. No experience needed — it’s very simple, and we’ll tell you everything you need to know. You can sign up for as few — or as many! — shifts as you would like, or even just come in occasionally as a substitute.

Send an email to [email protected] if you have any questions or would like to be added to the volunteer list (you will NOT be automatically added to the schedule!).

 

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Bowman Site Council

Interested in playing a leadership role at Bowman? Are you available for one meeting a month? We are looking for two parents to serve on the School Based Site Council for a two-year term! Historically, meetings have been on Friday mornings at 7:45-8:30AM.

This is a great opportunity to learn about Bowman and contribute to the Bowman community. If you are interested, please send us a short bio (maximum of 150 words) by Sunday, September 15th at 10pm. For contested elections, an online election will take place from Monday, September 16th until Monday, September 23th to select the two parent representatives.

As part of the Education Reform Act of 1993, Site-Based Councils were mandated as part of the Act’s decentralization of decision-making. The Site Council is composed of equal numbers of elected teachers and parents, together with the Principal and a community representative. The role of the Site Council is to advise the Principal. At Bowman, Site Council members meet once a month with Bowman teachers to plan ways to meet the diverse learning needs of students; establish a school climate of tolerance and respect for every individual; involve parents in the life of the school; impact safety and discipline; enhance extracurricular activities; and more.

If you have any questions about the Site Council or if you are interested in running for the open seat, please contact us at [email protected]

 

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PTA Open Positions

Consider volunteering for one of the open PTA positions this school year. Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions.

VP Membership – Shadow

We encourage every Bowman family to become a member of the PTA so that we can continue delivering programs and services vital to our students, parents and teachers. You would work with the current VP Membership to learn more about the role. If you’re interested please email [email protected]

Disco Bingo – Shadow

Bingo Night is a fun filled night for the whole family with teacher and student Bingo callers. Volunteers focus on publicizing the annual event (usually in Winter), obtaining prizes and recruiting Bingo callers. If you’re interested please email [email protected]g

Science Fair Coordinator

The Science Fair is an annual opportunity for grade K- 5 students to create and display projects and experiments. The Science Fair, usually scheduled for Spring, is organized by parents. Click here for more information. The current coordinator would like additional volunteers to help with coordination this year. If you’re interested please email [email protected]

Grounds and Beautification

Volunteers needed for gardening and grounds beautification! We need one or two parents to help with upkeep of the flower garden near the Bowman Sign (by the bench and flagpole), and to help coordinate volunteers to refresh the flower pots in front of the school each season. If you’re interested please email [email protected]

Artsonia

Work with our art teacher, Ms. Goldfarb, to put artwork on Artsonia website. To volunteer, please contact [email protected]

 

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School Picture Day

This year’s school photos are being taken on Wednesday, September 25th. Make a note on your calendars to get your son or daughter spruced up and looking picture perfect that morning. Picture forms will be sent home in your child’s folder in the middle of Sept. Please fill these out and send them in by September 25th. If you order online, please print the confirmation out and send that in with your child.

Additionally, the PTA is in need of some volunteers to assist with getting the kids camera ready. Please sign up for a shift at this link anytime between 9AM and 1PM or contact Michelle Andronaco at [email protected]. Your help will keep picture day flowing smoothly and will be greatly appreciated!

Happy fall!

 

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Bowman Book Fair

Wednesday October 23rd – October 31st, In the Bowman Gym

Kids will come through with their class to make a WISH LIST! The Bowman Book Fair will be open during Parent Teacher Conferences on October 23, 24, 30 & 31.

Please visit our webpage at http://www.scholastic.com/bf/bowmanelementaryschool2 for information on volunteering or contact Katie Quick at [email protected] for details. We look forward to seeing you at the Bowman Book Fair.

 

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Box Tops Update

Box Tops has gone digital! There is a NEW and improved, user-friendly Box Tops mobile app that allows you to scan your store receipt, find participating products and instantly add Box Tops to your school’s earnings online. Clipping will become a thing of the past and you will have direct visibility into Bowman’s earnings.

How does the new program work?

You’ll download the new and improved, user-friendly Box Tops app, register and select Bowman as your school, and then scan an eligible receipt containing Box Tops products. You’ll earn 10 cents for each Box Tops product purchased plus extra earnings for any Bonus Box Tops opportunities. The app will automatically add Box Tops to your school’s earnings online, giving visibility to see how you are supporting your school in real-time. Check here for more details.

Can I still send in regular Box Tops?

Yes! Keep clipping regular Box Tops and sending them in with your child as long as you continue to find them on packages. Bowman will still get credit for all clipped Box Tops.

More FAQ’s can be found here: https://www.boxtops4education.com/How to Earn

Questions? Contact the Box Tops Coordinator: [email protected]

 

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Directory Cover Design Contest

All Bowman students can join in designing the cover for the printed directory, which is available to PTA members only. We will send more information with contest rules and flyers in the 3rd week of September.

 

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Stop and Shop A+ School Rewards

Welcome back to the start of a new school year and to a new year of A+ School Rewards! This year’s A+ Program runs from September 6, 2019 through March 14, 2020.

Existing Supporters: You DO NOT need to re-register your card if your school selection(s) remains the same as last year.

New Supporters or Existing Supporters Wishing to Make Changes As Easy As 1-2-3

Beginning as early as July 26, 2019,

1. Register online or sign in to an existing account at stopandshop.com.
2. Access your account settings by going to MANAGE MY ACCOUNT.
3. Select your preferred school to reward by going to REWARDS & SAVINGS.

If you need assistance, please call 1-877-366-2668 OPTION #1

Peapod Account Holders:

Please link the Peapod account to the Stop & Shop Card AND to register your school to the card to help Bowman earn Peapod shopping points.

To Earn Points, use your registered Stop & Shop Card each time you shop at any Stop & Shop

Also, please spread the word to your family members and friends to support our school. This could result in more CASH REWARDS!

Any questions, please contact the coordinator Sharon Huang, [email protected]