The Paloma Partner

Join the PTA and State Farm Insurance for a fun-filled morning of bike riding, roller blading, and safety tips. State Farm is creating the bike course and Spectrum is designing the roller blade course. Officers from the Chandler Police Department will be there to register bikes and Bike Masters will offer bike inspections. All participants will be able to enjoy bagels and drinks courtesy of Bruegger’s Bagels. So strap on your helmet and ride or skate on over for plenty of Paloma fun.

Kyrene School Board Candidate Forum—Wednesday, October 18, 7:30 – 8:30 p.m.

The Paloma PTA is pleased to welcome Kyrene School Board candidates Robert Briscoe, Slade Mead, and Rich Zawtocki to a forum following our October meeting. Every month the School Board makes important decisions which affect your students.

Last year’s PTA Board proved that when Kyrene parents speak loudly enough, the School Board listens (remember the issue of school starting times?). Here’s your chance not only to hear what the candidates have to say, but to offer them your comments and concerns. We encourage all Paloma parents to attend this important event.

PTA Wish List

Do you have something you don’t need and we can use? Check out our wish list below:

For PTA events: large coolers, long heavy-duty extension cords, walkie-talkies

For PTA storage: lockable shed

For PTA use: copy paper (8-1/2" x 11" and 11" x 17")

For teachers lounge: toaster oven, radio/CD/tape player, bagel slicer

Please contact any PTA Board member if you can fulfill a wish!

Catalog Fundraiser

Thanks to all Paloma parents and students who turned in orders from our Homemade Holiday Catalog Fundraiser. We are still tallying the numbers, but it looks like a terrific rate of participation this year! Grand prize winners will be announced in the next few weeks. Orders will be delivered to the classrooms on Friday, November 3^rd.

September Meeting Notes

This meeting was packed with information. We voted two changes to our by-laws, learned what the Kyrene School Board was up to recently, applauded the great progress made so far on renovating the teachers’ lounge, heard updates from various committees, and learned about PTA internet opportunities. We also heard several announcements and welcomed our new Arts and Culture Chair, Dawn Mack. Like last month, we did it all in about 40 minutes!

Our special speaker was Gina Taylor who gave us a "State of the School" report, including a discussion of the Paloma Site Incentive Plan, the Lifeskills Program, and the district’s 5-year Strategic Plan goal areas.

October 18^th PTA Agenda

The next PTA meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 18 at 7:00 p.m. in the multi-purpose room. Agenda items include:

• Catalog Fundraiser Totals
• Holiday Boutique Update

This will be a very short meeting to allow us to welcome those attending the School Board Candidates Forum which begins at 7:30 p.m. Please join us!

Wow, What a Turnout!

Our annual Ice Cream Social was a big success. Over 1,000 people enjoyed ice cream sundaes and cones, popcorn, door prizes, and games on a balmy September evening. The PTA Board would like to offer a huge "Thank You" to Debbie Striker for her terrific job organizing this event.

Many thanks also to the dozens of volunteers who brought baked goods and toppings, sold tickets, scooped ice cream, and stayed late to clean up! Special thanks go to Matt Augee for coordinating the kids games, Karen Rushefsky for serving as DJ and helping with the games, and Sherry Urias, Jackie Branaman, Sandy Hughes, and Lisa Bjotvedt for the terrific decorations.

Congratulations to Mrs. Cochran, Ms. Ferrie, Miss Hochstrasser, and Mrs. Watras for winning the teacher drawing. Each lucky teacher received a $25.00 gift certificate from Mobil Oil.

Thanks Ice Cream Social Donors

AMC Theaters Jack in the Box

Arby’s McDonalds

Bahama Buck’s Mobil On the Run

Bally Total Fitness Mountainside Fitness

Basha’s Mr. Goodcents

Burger King Mrs. Fields

Costco Jill and Ron Nordstrom

Einstein’s Brothers Bagels Papago Pediatrics

Fairytale Brownies Peter Piper Pizza

Fazoli’s Phoenix Coyotes

Fitness Forum Patricia Ross

Fry’s Rubio’s

Godfathers Pizza Sam’s Club

Hollywood Video Sports Cutters

Laura Horvath Massage Taco Bell

IMAX The Good Egg

Legislative Corner

Hello Paloma Parents. There is so much information to give you. On November 7th General Elections take place. I want to make you aware of some very important dates and information.

earlyballot/earlyvotingballotrequestgen. The last date to register to vote in the General Election, whether by mail, fax, phone or email, is October 27^th.

There are more than 12 complicated propositions on the ballot this November, and it is important to take the time to evaluate them all. This election is extremely important for us as parents of public school children, as we will be voting on Proposition 301. We believe this vote may be the most important education vote we have in Arizona in years. There is no doubt that the result of this vote will have a direct impact on our children for many years to come.

Please go to the wonderful website the PTA has created at Palomapta.org, where you can find plenty of information on this all important education proposition. You can also refer to the August edition of Paloma Partners for a brief summary of Proposition 301 information. In addition, I would be happy to provide you with any information available that I have on Proposition 301; just call the number provided above by my name.

On October 18^th, the Paloma PTA will be sponsoring a Kyrene School Board Candidate Forum. Meet prospective board members and find out how they feel before you vote! This is a great opportunity to be an informed voter. The candidate forum will be held following the PTA meeting in the multipurpose room of Paloma, beginning at 7:30 p.m. I hope to see you there!

Calling All Crafters

We are gearing up quickly for our Paloma Doves Holiday Boutique. This event is scheduled for Saturday, November 18, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the multi-purpose room. Our Secret Shoppers program returns by popular demand; this is when older children are available to assist Paloma students to buy gifts secretly for their families. Santa will join us from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. to talk to children and have pictures taken. We’ll have food to eat and crafts to make. Best of all, you can shop for a variety of quality handmade items created by local artisans.

Are you a crafter wanting to rent a table? Do you have some ideas for decorations, publicity, or activities? If so, please get involved. You can call the committee chair, Sherry Urias, at 940-1841 (please use this phone number as the number in the Handbooks for Parents is incorrect) or send back the lower portion of the flyer which went out in backpacks last week.

Treating our Teachers to Dinner

The Teacher Appreciation Committee will host two potluck dinners for teachers during fall parent/teacher conference weeks. This is one of our ways to say thanks to the teachers for all their hard work with our children. The dinners are scheduled for November 2^nd and November 8^th and we are looking for donations of food, paper products, and beverages. To sign up, please return the flyer which was sent home last week or contact Heidi Sill.