PTA NEWS:
October is a busy month for PTA units in this district. Membership campaigns continue, the Reflections contest is under way and Red Ribbon Week will be celebrated.
Students can exhibit their talents in the arts by participating in the Reflections contest during October. Entries are being accepted at school sites under this year’s theme “Beauty is ?.?.?.” and can be in one of six categories: dance, film, music, literature, photography or visual arts. Entry forms are available at all the schools or can be downloaded from www.glendalecouncilpta.net/reflections.html.
Red Ribbon Week is Oct. 29 to 30, and each school will show its commitment to a drug-free society by participating in various activities. Assemblies are conducted, special red wristlets are worn by students and red ribbons are festively tied around school campuses. The theme this year is “Drug Free is the Key.” Parents are also encouraged to have conversations with their children about the dangers of drug and alcohol use.
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MOUNTAIN AVENUE ELEMENTARY
All ghouls, goblins and ghosts should head over in their costumes to the spectacular Halloween Carnival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 31 at the school. There will be games and prizes, costume contests, a cakewalk, bounce house and the always popular Korean barbecue lunch. Pre-sale tickets are available by contacting the school office.
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VALLEY VIEW ELEMENTARY
Foundation is sponsoring a Pumpkin Patch after school Wednesday and Thursday on the lower playground. Purchase a pumpkin for $5 while supporting the foundation and its many programs.
Families are invited to spend a fun-filled day at the Harvest Carnival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 24 on the lower playground. There will be activities for all ages including a blow-up slide, Money Booth, Stand the Bottle and Hit the Spot. Each classroom will run a booth with the help of Crescenta Valley High School volunteers.
Sixth-grade students will create and run a Haunted House that will have a slightly scary section for the younger children and a scary section for the older children.
Various classes and parents will be selling snow cones, popcorn, sodas and baked goods.
The Korean Parent Club will be serving a barbecue meal and there will be Mexican cuisine as well. The community is encouraged to attend.
Students will celebrate Halloween beginning at 8:25 a.m. Oct. 30 with a Reward Assembly and Costume Parade. Students can show off their costumes on the lower playground as the student council picks the winning student for each category.
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DUNSMORE ELEMENTARY
Walk to School Day was a huge success! Thank you Claudia Langford for planning such a fun-filled and inspiring event, and thanks to everyone who participated.
The second annual Jog-a-thon fundraiser kicked off Oct. 1. This was such a success last year and the PTA is looking forward to another banner year. Pledges are being accepted up until the Jog-a-thon Oct. 21.
Do you ever wonder what the difference is between the green and orange cones other than color?
Would you like a clearer understanding of the district’s new traffic safety policies? Would you like to volunteer to make drop-off and pick-up safer?
Come to the next PTA meeting when traffic safety will be addressed.
There will be activities for the kids, guest speakers, a student-produced traffic safety DVD and volunteer opportunities.
The PTA meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 22 in the auditorium and the forum immediately follows.
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FREMONT ELEMENTARY
The PTA will host its first annual Picnic in the Playground during the regular lunch schedule Wednesday. Parents of first- through sixth-grade students are invited to come to school and picnic with their child.
Reflections entries are due Monday. The Reflections Reception will be at 2:15 p.m. Oct. 27 in the auditorium. This is a great chance to view all the creations submitted by students.
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LA CRESCENTA ELEMENTARY
La Crescenta Elementary School families are invited to a special screening of “Monsters vs Aliens” (PG) from DreamWorks at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 23 in the school auditorium. No admission will be charged and space is limited. Doors will open at 5:30. Snack items will be available for purchase. Families can also purchase “A Tile to Remember” during the screening for $20 in the lunch shelter.
Come see your favorite teachers dipping ice cream at the fundraiser from 2:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at Coldstone’s Creamery, 3231 Foothill Blvd., La Crescenta. This fundraiser will benefit the Green 4 Green project to replace the grassy area on the playground with artificial turf.
PTA hosts the Glendale Healthy Start Food Drive from Nov. 2 to 6. Please bring nonperishable food items to school to help Glendale families in need.
?JO ANN STUPAKIS covers the Crescenta Valley cluster, and her column appears every three weeks. She can be reached at jostupakis@yahoo.com or (818) 248-8507.