DESERT DOME ASSEMBLY IS COMING TO DARBY!

Presented by the California Science Center

February 29 and March 1

 Immerse yourself into the sights, sounds and smells of the Mojave Desert as students step inside the mobile inflatable dome and learn about ecology, adaptation and desert habitats. Students help Uuhuuly, a Kangaroo Rat, find her home and along the way learn about the desert.

 If you would like to help escort your class to this assembly, please contact Sheila Foster at craftydolphin@verizon.net

Fully funded by Darby PTA

THE BEAT GOES ON!
Announcing Darby Avenue Elementary’s
6^th ANNUAL TALENT SHOW

March 23, 2012

 Are you a dancer, singer, perform magic, martial arts, yo yo tricks, skits or play an instrument?  We would love to see your talent (whatever it may be)!  Permission slips to be sent home soon, please return completed permission slips by 2/17/12.   Auditions will be held in the Parent Center on 2/21/12.  If you do not know what to do, we are also looking for transition actors to help out on stage or stage hands to handle microphones and props.  Please come see us at auditions and we will make sure you are involved in the show!

 If you would like to be on the Talent Show committee, please attend our initial meeting on Friday,  February 3, 2012 at 8:30 a.m. in the Parent Center or contact us at the below email addresses.  We are excited to see who’s got the beat!

Pam Roylance

pamroylance@gmail.com

Sheila Foster
craftydolphin@verizon.net

Darby’s Reflection Art Program is in full swing!!

The National PTA Reflections Program is in it’s 41st year! Reflections is an art recognition and achievement program, that provides opportunities for students to express themselves creatively and to receive positive recognition for original works of art inspired by a pre-selected theme, while increasing community awareness on the importance of the arts in education. This year’s theme is: “Diversity means…”
Entries are submitted at the school level, and from there, winners may go on to district, state and national levels.

The categories for original submissions are:

Literature
Musical Composition
Photography

Visual Arts
Dance Choreography
Film/Video Production

You should have received a flyer home with a tear off due back by October 14^th. If you did not receive the flyer and your child would like to participate, please check with your child’s teacher for a participation flier.

Once the student has returned the tear off, they will be given a full set of requirements for their chosen category (You can also click on each category for the requirements). All Reflections entries (along with a Parent/Guardian consent form and a Student entry form) will be due no later than November 10^th. You can print out the form by clicking on the name. 

We look forward to seeing the creative and beautiful works of art created by Darby students. We will be having a gallery showing of all entries on Friday, November 30^th after they have all been submitted.

See the National PTA Reflections web page for details http://www.capta.org/sections/programs/reflections.cfm

Or for questions?  E-mail the Reflections Chairpersons Alicia Griffith at agriffith@socal.rr.com or Raquel Villegas at raqueldvillegas@gmail.com

5th Grade Goodwill Donation Drive……….Sunday, November 6………..8:00a.m.-2:00p.m.

Darby Families, Staff, Neighbors & Friends……

The 5th Grade is having a donation drive with the Goodwill.  Please bring your donations of clothing, household goods, furniture (in good condition) & electronics (in any condition) to the school parking lot on Los Alimos St./Darby Ave. any time between 8:00a.m. - 2:00p.m. on Sunday, 11/6.   **Goodwill Donation Receipts will be available at the event**

Here’s a list of some acceptable /non-acceptable items(not a complete list)

Early Drop-Off for Darby Families & Staff:  Please drop off your items in front of the Parent Center or near the PODS container on campus, next to the Reading Garden.  *If you would like us to send you a Goodwill Donation Receipt, please attach the following to your donation:  (1) Name/Address or Students Name/Room# and (2) a brief description of what you donated.  We will provide you a receipt after the event.

Thank you for supporting the 5th Grade!!

Questions?  Please e-mail:  Darby5thgrade@yahoo.com

SPORTS FANATIC?        COACH’S GIFT?
HARD TO BUY FOR RELATIVES?
HOLIDAY GIFTS?    SUPERBOWL PARTY?

DARBY PTA HAS THE ANSWER!

Powered by America’s favorite teams, including the NFL, MLB, College, and the U.S. Military, Spirit Cups and Spirit Popcorn Buckets are long-lasting, reusable and appeal to everyone.  Best of all, Darby receives $5 for every order!   Fliers are coming home the beginning of November in your child’s backpack. Orders must be turned in, Thursday, November 10, 2011.  Items will be delivered to classrooms on December 12, 2011, just in time for the holidays!

The top two classes with the highest percentage of sales will receive a popcorn and movie party!

Volunteers needed on 12/12/2011 in Parent Center to help with delivery!

Thank you for your support!
Sheila Foster

craftydolphin@verizon.net
www.spiritcups.com or www.spiritpopcorn.com

Spook-a-Rama

Friday, October 28th

12:30pm- 2:30pm

Festivities start with a costume parade on the Track then off to stations of fun.

Please have your child bring their costume to school in a bag with their name on it.

DO NOT WEAR COSTUME TO SCHOOL

(Please no masks or weapons)

WEAR ORANGE AND BLACK TO SHOW YOUR FESTIVE SPIRIT!

Please come and join the festivities.

If you have any questions or want to help that day,

please contact Heidi Christopher at drheidic@msn.com

Keep turning in those receipts from Fresh and Easy!!! We earn $1 for every $20 spent…look out for our shopping night on November 9th!

Screamin Daily Deals is partnering with Darby PTA to help us raise money!  We earn $1 for each email submitted.  Also, they will give us 10% of anything purchased on their site.  An added bonus…teachers will get a $50 visa gift card for turning in 80% of the email request forms!  Go to www.screamindailydeals.com to sign up!

The Signature fundraiser continues through October 7.  Please turn in all orders and money collected by October 7 to qualify for the prizes.  Remember, sell 20 items or turn in a $200 donation and your child will get a limo ride to Chuck e Cheese! To place an order online, go to www.signaturefundraising.com

•       * * * 2011-2012 School Year Begins on Wednesday, September 7, at 8:10a.m. * * *
  New Students!
  All parents of new students are invited to the Kindergarten & New Parent Orientation on Monday, September 1, at 6:00p.m. in the Darby auditorium
  *First day of school:  Kindergarten and all new students come to the auditorium at 8:10a.m. Tissue Tea for new parents in the Darby Parent Center to follow.
  Returning Students!
  *First day of school for students going into 1st grade:  Go directly to your former Kindergarten classroom at 8:10a.m.
  *First day of school for students going into 2nd - 5th grade:  Go to your old classroom line-up on the yard by 8:10a.m.

It’s that time again!!

PARTICIPANT REGISTRATION FOR THE NEW TERM BEGINS ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2011.

There is no pre-registration! This means that you cannot register for the new term until September 1, 2011 or after.

1.       All of your members who are currently enrolled in the Ralphs Community Contribution Program will remain active until August 31, 2011.
2.       Participants will be required to register or re-register for the new term at www.Ralphs.com or by using the scanbar letter at the register starting September 1, 2011.
3.       If you received a scanbar letter last year, it is still good and can be used this year.
4.       Even if your participants registered as recently as June or July 2011, they will be required to register again, on or after September 1, 2011.
5.       Your organization does NOT need to re-register, only your participants.
6.       This notice does not apply to participants of the Food 4 Less/Foods Co Community Rewards program.

Thank you,
Community Contributions Staff

SPECIAL OFFER FOR SCHOOLS ONLY!

As a valued member of the Ralphs Community Contributions Program, your school can earn extra funds!

In conjunction with the new California State law that mandates the Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Vaccine, also known as Tdap, for all students entering 7th through 12th grade* in the 2011-2012 school year, Ralphs Pharmacies are offering schools an opportunity to earn a $5 donation for each student that receives the Tdap shot at one of our 90 pharmacies throughout Southern California. Please visit our website at www.ralphs.com to locate the pharmacy near you. The vaccine is covered by many insurance companies so stop by and talk to your Ralphs Pharmacist today.

Participation in this offer is easy. Parents simply take their student(s) to their local Ralphs Pharmacy and say they are there for the Tdap shot. They will need to provide the name of the school in order for the school to earn the $5 donation.

We hope you will take advantage of this exciting fundraising opportunity. If you have any questions, please call (800) 443-4438.

* Students must be age 11 and older to receive vaccination at Ralphs Pharmacy.

Low Cost or Free Summer Activities
Northridge Park Pool:   Opens June 25    www.laparks.org/dos/aquatic/pdf/poolPrg/northridge.pdf
FREE Museum Days:  Click Here for Information
Getty Center & Getty Villa:   FREE family events and activities    
www.getty.edu/education/kids_families/programs/index.html
Ford Theatre’s Big!World!Fun! Family Series:    http://fordtheatres.com/en/events/category/id/36
Regal’s Summer Movie Express 2011:    $1.00 daytime G & PG double feature movies: 
www.regmovies.com/summermovieexpress
FREE Saturday outdoor movies & Sunday outdoor concerts:  Warner Park, Woodland Hills 
www.valleycultural.org/concerts-movies/
Simi Valley Town Center: FREE Summer Concerts & Movies:   www.simivalleytc.com  
Movies Under the Stars:  FREE family-friendly movies screened outdoors in local parks each month this summer, provided by our Council District 12.  For upcoming notices of July & August screenings, sign up to get e-newsletter news on www.CD12.org
Leonis Adobe Museum Summer Round Up Program:  Click Here For Flyer   www.leonisadobemuseum.org
Topanga Canyon Summer Beach Bus:  $.50 each way     www.ladpw.org/PDD/Beach_Bus/Page_07.cfm
Explore our local mountains: www.latrails.com/hike

Car Safety & Fun:  Make sure your child is safe in his/her safety seat:  www.SeatCheck.org  
101 ideas to keep your unplugged children entertained in the car:  www.MomsMinivan.com

Keep Reading & Learning:
One World, Many Stories is the theme for this year’s public libraries summer reading program, for children ages 0-19.
Parents: reserve your books online, then pick them up when you take your children to choose their books
Read 30 minutes a day…..Visit your local branch or create your own incentives…….www.lapl.org
Keep practicing your math facts:  www.mathsisfun.com, search “Math Trainer” and you’ll get timed addition, subtraction, & multiplication problems and a resource for higher levels of math.
“Read your TV”: use the closed caption option on your TV and increase your reading skills

* * * 2011-2012 School Year Begins on Wednesday, September 7, at 8:10a.m. * * *
New Students!
All parents of new students are invited to the Kindergarten & New Parent Orientation on Monday, September 1, at 6:00p.m. in the Darby auditorium
*First day of school:  Kindergarten and all new students come to the auditorium at 8:10a.m.
Returning Students!
*First day of school for students going into 1st grade:  Go directly to your former Kindergarten classroom at 8:10a.m.
*First day of school for students going into 2nd - 5th grade:  Go to your old classroom line-up on the yard by 8:10a.m.

FUNdraisers for Darby PTA!

Go to Menchie’s on Zelzah during the month of June and mention Darby.  They will donate 15% back to the PTA and if we are the top earning school out of 3 schools participating, we get a bonus $100.  Spread the word!

Swipe your key tag at any Jamba Juice from now on and they will donate 10% to our PTA and 2% to the National PTA.

BANNER PROGRAM

Is your business looking for a new way of advertising to the community?  If so, our NEW Banner Program is for you.  Contact Yvonne Kutrosky:   voniho@yahoo.com or Margie Rivas:  margiepnp@gmail.com for more information.

End of Year Association Meeting Dinner     June 9,  2011  
You are invited to attend our last PTA Association meeting of this school year at the 94th Aero Squadron.  We will be thanking our PTA board members from this year and installing the new PTA board.   Come celebrate with us!  $22.00 for dinner/dessert/dancing.  RSVP as soon as possible.
See invitation Here
View a recap of the meeting Here

WET & WILD
FAMILY SCIENCE NIGHT
Thursday, May 26
FREE!!!!!

4:30 – 6:00  Natural History Museum’s Sky Mobil

(Your chance for a free tour of Solar System, no registration required)

5:00 – 6:00  Optional Pasta/Salad/Drink for $3.00

5:30 – 6:00  Check-in

6:00 – 7:00  Scientific Investigation Rotation (registration required)

 See flyer for registration -  Hope to see you there!

Click Here for registration form

Funding Solutions for Darby!
Parents, teachers, families!  Join us in finding solutions to bring more money to Darby so we can keep our teachers, librarian aide, music programs, the students’ weekly PE program, and restore budgeted cuts for next year.

Our students, our children deserve a GREAT education, not one with restrictions squeezing out programs, reduced school personnel and fewer enriching academic opportunities.

We’re holding two meetings this week:
Thursday, May 5, 5:30p.m. in the Parent Center with Principal Ghoniem
Friday, May 6, 9:00a.m. (right after morning greeting) in the Parent Center

Let’s find solutions together!

*If you are unable to come to either meeting and would like to get involved, make suggestions or to find out more information, please contact Margie Rivas at  margiepnp@gmail.com.

WILDLIFE LEARNING CENTER ASSEMBLIES

June 1 and June 2

Have you ever wondered how to determine what an animal eats?  How animals adapt to their physical environment or about life cycles of animals?  Our students will discover some of these things in a small learning environment (two class maximum).  Wildlife Learning Center brings live animals such as a Kinkajou, Fox or Porcupine to help reinforce our students understanding.  Each 50 minute session will show at least 6 live animals!  Make sure to ask your child what they learned!

Fully Sponsored by the Darby PTA

Online Auction Ends April 12th.  Get your maximum bids in NOW!!!  Every item deserves a bid and every bid helps support our school!  Go to www.biddingforgood.com/darbypta to bid.  Refer your friends to bid too.  The top referrer wins a $25 scrip card.

Live Auction continues April 14th at 5:30 pm at Open House.  Come see all of the beautiful baskets and other items up for bid and place your bids at the live event!

COME ONE!  COME ALL! To the Scholastic Book Fair!  March 14 - March 25
Grab your Ticket to Read and check out the great books we have to offer at the Book Fair!

When:  Daily, during Lunch (12:10-1:10) and for 1 hour After School
Where:  Darby Library

Doughnuts for Dads!  Thursday, March 17   7:30a.m.-8:10a.m.
Students, bring your dads!  Doughnuts and coffee for them, doughnuts and juice for you!

Muffins for Moms!  Tuesday, March 22   7:30a.m.-8:10a.m.
Students, bring your moms!  Muffins and coffee/tea for them, muffins and juice/milk for you!

Pajama-Rama!  Thursday, March 24   6:30p.m.-8:00p.m.
Wear your pajamas, bring your family, listen to great stories, eat night-time treats and have fun with guessing games and more!
Book Fair will be open.  Pajama-Rama will be held next door in Room 14

*ONE FOR BOOKS - For each $1 we collect, Scholastic will donate 1 book in Darby’s name to a needy organization

March PTA Association Meeting   Wednesday, March 30  12:00p.m.
Join us in the Parent Center for our March meeting.  Lunch will be provided.
Agenda is Here

Our Online Auction is just around the corner.  Go to www.biddingforgood.com/darbypta starting on April 1st to place your bids.  We are still accepting donations of New items or gift cards until March 25th.

Original Works Art Fundraiser is underway!  Check out www.originalworks.com to view examples of items that can be purchased with your own child’s artwork.  Orders are due April 4th. 

PTA Association Meeting      February 23    12:00p.m.    
Join us in the Parent Center for our next monthly meeting.  Lunch will be provided and cake to celebrate PTA’s 114th birthday.  City Council candidates for the Council District 12 seat will be coming for a short presentation and Q&A.
Agenda is Here
Find the Meeting recap Here

The PTA will bring the Prismatic Magic Assembly to Darby on February 23, 2011 during school.  Their premium laser program, the hour-long Science Laser Spectacular combines an amazing twenty-minute crash course in laser science with an exciting forty-minute laser show. The initial twenty-minute segment is a live presentation where they use a series of spellbinding demonstrations to show how laser light is different from ordinary light. This is then followed by a dazzling forty-minute laser show, the purpose of which is to illustrate to the students how the science and math they are learning in school can be used to do amazing things one day!

If you would like to see a sample of their show, visit www.prismaticmagic.com

Family Fun Night Fundraiser:

Please help support Darby Elementary by dining at Bob’s Big Boy in Northridge on Wednesday, February 23rd from 3 pm to 10 pm. Bob’s will donate 15% of the proceeds to our school. Please bring the attached flyer.”

You can print the flyer out Here