Teacher Appreciation and PTA Meeting May 12th

National Teacher Appreciation week is this week!

The PTA will be honoring our Bates Faculty and Staff on June 13th (an early dismissal day) with a l pm lunch.  We will be asking for donations and volunteers at a later date.

In the meantime, please appreciate your teachers and staff with a thank you or more!  Check out, www.roommomspot.com  - they have some easy, fun, low-cost ideas to thank teachers if anyone would like to this week.

Thank you,
Jeannie Bullen
Teacher Appreciation Chair
jeanniebullen@gmail.com


PTA MEETING on Monday, May 12th at 6:30 pm in the Bates Media Center

Our 6:30 pm Speaker will be Chip Bullen - Sports Boosters President for Annapolis High School.  Come learn about AHS sports and sports boosters.

We will also hold PTA elections for next year, hear from Principal DeRoo on happenings at Bates and discuss PTA past events and upcoming events.

Thank you,
Deirdre Ralph
PTA President
ralphjd@verizon.net

2014-2015 PTA Board Slate

Hi All,

The PTA Nominating Committee would like to inform you of the proposed PTA Executive Board slate of nominees:

PTA Executive Board

President - Denise Figueiredo

Vice-President - Deirdre Ralph

Treasurer - Doug Arnold

Secretary - Laurie Goodwin

Please consider these PTA Committee/Chair Positions:

AACCPTA Delegate
Fall Fundraiser 
Honor Roll Celebrations
Wellness 
Uniform Closet
and more!

The PTA Board slate of nominees will be voted upon at the May 12th PTA meeting at Bates Middle School at 6:30 pm.

Thank you for considering volunteering for Bates!

Deirdre Ralph
Jenn Macris
Amy Beller
Bliss Kaye
Laurie Goodwin

Your Input Requested-School Calendar Change Proposal/PTA Mtg 3-10

Monday, March 10th PTA Meeting:

Speaker Time - 6 pm Speaker - Mandy Larkins speaks on "Too Smart to Start, How to Keep Middle Schoolers from Starting Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Use"

PTA Meeting Time- 6:30 -8 pm  Principal DeRoo School Activity Update and Discussion of upcoming Events

Where - Bates Media Center

ALSO:
YOUR INPUT is requested on the school calendar change discussed below.  Please give your comments to Kia Chandler, CAC Respresentative, at kchandler06@gmail.com or Teresa Tudor at ttudor@aacps.org

Calendar Committee,

At today’s board meeting one of the board members made a motion to change next year’s calendar during exams. The motion was to have student’s come in two hours late on days they have exams as opposed to how they do it now with a two hour early dismissal. I went to the table and suggested that before they consider this that I could take it back to the calendar committee to get input from each of you. Please talk to your groups or offices and get back to me as soon as possible about what your thoughts are to this change. They did withdraw the motion until next board meeting when we give them our input.

Here is just my two cents. On one hand it makes perfect sense that students could either sleep in if they were up late studying or they could get up and review just before they went to take the exam. It would also address the inequity that we have now with half day preK and ECI students that go in the afternoon. With all the early dismissals they miss a lot more time than their morning peers.

I do want to know how parents with elementary and middle school students feel on the subject because it would affect their children as well. I also would like to see what teachers and principals feel about the change and our students perspective. Look forward to hearing from all of you.

Teresa Tudor

Senior Manager

Office of School & Family Partnerships

Anne Arundel County Public Schools

(410) 222-5414 ttudor@aacps.org

Office of School & Family Partnerships website

Reminder: PTA speaker 6pm/Mtg 6:30/PVA Parent Mtg 8:00 - Feb 10th

Hello Bates Community,

We will have our February PTA Meeting on Monday, Feb 10th at 6:30 but the schedule follows:

6:00 pm - Laura Brino, Arts Integration Specialist at Bates, will speak on Arts Integration

6:30 pm - PTA meeting - starting with a video created by Laura Brino for the upcoming National Art Education Association (NAEA) National Conference which she and Jean Orzech, Art Teacher at Bates, are attending

8:00 - 9:00 pm - PVA Parent Partnership first meeting (see letter below)

Dear PVA Families,

The first meeting of the Performing and Visual Arts Parent Partnership will occur on Monday, February 10 from 8:00-9:00 p.m.in the library at Bates Middle School in Annapolis.  (The PVA Parent Partnership meetings will rotate through all four PVA buildings.  Bates was selected as the first because it is the oldest PVA school.)

Agenda:

·         Clarify the Mission of the Performing and Visual Arts Parent Partnership

o   The mission of the Performing and Visual Arts Parent Partnership is to support the unique programming and educational opportunities of the Performing and Visual Arts Magnet Schools. (Draft 1)

·         Define and Establish Committees

o   Suggested Committees:

§  Mission/Vision Steering Committee

§  Fundraising

·         Specific Event

·         General Budget

§  Food and Beverage

§  Publicity/Marketing

§  Ticket Sales

·         Specific Event

·         Season Tickets

·         Define Faculty/Staff Liaison and Communication Protocol

·         Set PVAPP Follow-Up Meeting Schedule

Ken Skrzesz, M.F.A.

Teacher Specialist, Performing and Visual Arts Magnet

AACPS Office of Advanced Studies

Office:  410.266.5240 x335

The Mission of the Performing and Visual Arts Magnet programs is to provide students who demonstrate artistic ability, interest and potential a curriculum of rigorous training that emphasizes the creative process through collaborative opportunities.

The mission of Annapolis High School, an exceptionally diverse school community, is to advance academic achievement and unity among our students through mutual respect, trust and excellence in both teaching and learning.

Wed, Jan 8th - PTA Meeting and Bates Family Book Club, starts at 6 pm

Wed, Jan 8th - PTA Meeting and Bates Family Book Club

Hi All,

Happy New Year!  We have our January PTA meeting this Wed (not tonight, Monday) starting at 6 pm held in the Bates Media Center.  

This meeting will be a shortened meeting and immediately followed by the 2nd annual Bates Family Book Club.

The Bates Family Book Club event is hosted by the PTA and the Bates Librarian Andrea Sporre. Please consider reading Glory Be by Augusta Scattergood for this book club which will be held both during the school day on Wednesday and in the evening on Wed, Jan 8th immediately following the PTA Meeting. Siblings and family members are welcome and encouraged to participate in the evening book club.  Refreshments will be served.

Our PTA Meetings for 2014, held in the Bates Media Center are as follows:  

February 10, 6 pm Speaker, 6:30 Meeting

March 10, 6 pm Speaker, 6:30 Meeting

April 7, 6 pm Speaker, 6:30 Meeting

May 12, 6 pm Speaker, 6:30 Meeting

June 9 - Executive Board turnover mtg

We also have Coffee with the Principal scheduled for:

January 31 at 8:15 - 9 am

February 28 at 8:15 am - 9 am

April 25 at 8:15 am - 9 am

Other upcoming events for the second semester!

Italian Dinner & Silent Auction for the Arts - Friday, February 21

Bates Arts in Motion 5k - Saturday, May 3rd

And more in the works...

Thank you for your participation and support of the PTA and Bates Middle School,

Deirdre Ralph

PTA President

Wed, Jan 8th - PTA Meeting and Bates Family Book Club

Hi All,

Winter Break still has lots of days left so enjoy!  Just an FYI:

Wed, Jan 8th at 6:00 is our next PTA meeting - held in the Bates Media Center.  This meeting will be a shortened meeting and immediately followed by the 2nd annual Bates Family Book Club.

The Bates Family Book Club event is hosted by the PTA and the Bates Librarian Andrea Sporre.  Please consider reading Glory Be by Augusta Scattergood for this book club which will be held both during the school day with fellow students and 6-7 pm on Jan 8th with family members.

Relax this winter break with a good book for adults and students!

Deirdre

Reminder PTA Meeting Mon, Nov 11!

Reminder!

Bates Middle School PTA Meeting - Monday, November 11

6 pm Speaker - Officer Baycorn, Bates School Resource Office (SRO)

6:30 pm Meeting - Kia Chandler, Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) representative will attend.   Please bring your questions and comments.

What is the CAC?

The Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) Executive Committee is a structured group appointed by the Board of Education that provides advice to the Board on specific issues impacting educational policy, activities, and programs. The CAC may choose to study and report on educational issues of countywide concern. They also respond to requests from the Board for research and recommendations on specific educational issues.
 

The CAC Executive Committee is composed of county residents who represent the diversity of parents and citizens in the county.  Two representatives from each of the 12 high school clusters, one from elementary schools and one from secondary schools, plus two at-large representatives are appointed to two year terms.  In addition, representatives from the Superintendent’s Parent Involvement Advisory Council (PIAC), the Special Education Advisory Committee (SECAC) and the Anne Arundel County Council of PTAs (AACCPTA) are appointed by their organization’s chair, completing the 29 member Executive Committee.

What Does the CAC Do?
The CAC meets no fewer than four times a year, following a schedule set by the CAC Executive Committee.  It will have the opportunity to present updates on its work to the Board once a month at regularly scheduled Board meetings.

Thanks for your interest in Bates Middle School.

Deirdre

Vote on PTA Speaker topics - Let's hear what you want to hear!

Dear PTA Members,

We want to hear from you about topics for PTA speakers.  Please follow this link to tell us which topics you would most like us to address:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/QGGK6ZR

Amy Beller, LCSW-C

Wiley H. Bates Middle School

410 263-0270

abeller@aacps.org

Together at Bates

PTA Meeting tonight and Donate your old School Uniforms

Hello,

PLEASE BRING ANY UNUSED SCHOOL UNIFORMS (non-logo shirts, pants, belts) TO THE PTA MEETING AND/OR BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT.  

THE PTA WILL EITHER USE THEM IN OUR SCHOOL'S UNIFORM CLOSET or GIVE THEM TO OTHER ANNAPOLIS CLUSTER ELEMENTARY or MIDDLE SCHOOLS THAT WILL USE THEM.  

OUR UNIFORM CLOSET IS ESPECIALLY IN NEED OF BELTS and ADULT SIZE KHAKI PANTS.  

1.  There is a PTA Meeting tonight in the Bates Media Center (Library) at 6:30 pm.  Come and join us and learn about all we do!!  You will enjoy being a member of our group and getting to know the school better.

2.  Back to School Night is this Thursday at 6:30 pm.  Please meet in the cafeteria. Ask your child for his A Day Schedule for you to follow.  If you have not joined the PTA, we will have a table with membership forms.  We will also sell various Bates Middle School logo items that are fun for your family to own.

Finally, please consider taking a few minutes to sign up for the Safeway Escrip program, the Giant A+ School Rewards program and the Target School program.  Safeway, Giant and Target give FREE money to schools.  BUT, you must sign up each year!  Please sign up for Bates Middle School.

FREE CASH for our School!!!  It’s SO EASY!!

Please take several minutes to register your grocery cards, credit and debit cards and Target Redcard!  It will add up to a lot of free cash for our school!  Then give this flyer to a friend, neighbor, relative or co-worker and ask them to do the same!   If you would like the school’s Reward Card Coordinator to register your Giant and Safeway cards, please see the next page (please note that Target RedCard does not allow anyone but the cardholder to register for the program). 

1.       Giant

-          Go to giantfood.com/aplus

-          Click on “Register your card” in the box on the left.

-          Enter the first three digits of your last name your 12 digit Giant Bonus card number and click on “Continue to Listings”

-          Enter the Bates School ID (01667) in the Express Box.

-          Click “Confirm My Information”

2.      Safeway - for Safeway Escrip program.  Any Credit or Debit cards.

-          Go to escrip.com

-          Click on “my escrip” on the toolbar across the top of the  page.

-          Enter your user name and password (click on “forgot your password and your user name and password will be emailed to you.

-          Click on “Register grocery/community cards”

-          Any cards you have registered in previous years will be listed on the next screen.  Enter any new cards.  Simply click on “update.”

-          Make sure Bates Middle School appears under “Group Selection.” If it does not, click on “Group Selection” and enter the school ID number:  6643571

-          On this page you can also register your Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover as well as debit cards to earn even more money for our school!!

-          Once you have entered all your card information, click on “sign off”.

3.       Target REDcard

-          Go to target.com/redcard

-          Click on “Take Charge of Education”

-          Click on “Enroll in Take Charge of Education”

-          Enter the Bates Target School ID #   - 57334

-          Enter your REDcard information.

OR, if you’d like me to enter your Safeway/Giant Card information, send me the following message to Laurie Goodwin at ltggoodwin@gmail.com   Make sure to include all the information or I will not be able to register you!!

Laurie, here is what you need to enroll my card in the:

Giant A+ program:     1. Giant Bonus Card Number:

                                    2. Last 3 letters of the last name associated with this card:

Safeway:                      1. Your full name, address and phone number:

                                       2.  My Safeway Club Card Number:

Welcome! First PTA Meeting is Monday, Sept 9th at 6:30 pm

Welcome to the Bates Middle School PTA for the 2013-2014 school year!

Please forward this email to new Bates parents so they can join the PTA and receive PTA emails.

Our first meeting is this Monday night, September 9th at 6:30 pm in the Bates Media Center (library). Please join us and start off the school year involved in your child's middle school life.

On September 9th, we will approve our budget and bylaws as well as discuss the upcoming year.  We support many school-sponsored events such as Honor Roll parties, Bates clubs such as Hoops and Homework, Soccer Club, Gardening Club and Chess Club, Field Day, the 8th grade Gettysburg trip, and the Music Department May trip.  The PTA also sponsors events such as the Italian Dinner for the Arts, the Bates 5K, Coffees with the Principal, Wellness Events and Teacher Appreciation celebrations.

To JOIN the Bates PTA:  The new membership form will be on the Bates website soon.  In the meantime, please stop by our PTA table on Back to School night on Sept 12th to sign up for the PTA.  Membership costs $5 and covers our administration expenses to the Maryland PTA as well as being a small start-up fundraiser. Donations are welcome!   Faculty are encouraged to join.

If you want to subscribe or unsubscribe from PTA emails such as this email:  

Subscribe:
BatesPTSF-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Unsubscribe:
BatesPTSF-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

Post message: 
BatesPTSF@yahoogroups.com

The Bates blog-style website is www.batespta.org

The Bates Facebook page address is:  https://www.facebook.com/BatesPTA

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Here are the PTA meeting dates:  (second Monday of the month, Bates Media Center, 6:30 pm)

Monday, Sept 9

Monday, Oct 14

Monday, Nov 11

No Dec Meeting

Monday, Jan 8

Monday, Feb 10

Monday, Mar 10

Monday, April 7

Monday, May 12

Here are the Coffee with the Principal Dates (Bates Media Center, 8:15 am - 9 am):

Friday, Sept 27

Friday, Oct 25

Friday, Dec 13

Friday, Jan 31

Friday, Feb 28

Friday, April 25

Thank you and please contact me with any suggestions or questions,

Deirdre Ralph

PTA President

ralphjd@verizon.net

Reminder Lottie Porch 6 pm PTA speaker tonight, followed by Meeting

Reminder of our last PTA Speaker and Meeting tonight starting at 6 pm in the Bates Media Center.

Lottie Porch, PVA Teacher Specialist or person in charge of the Tuesday and Thursday Performance Plus days and the Monthly Arts Experiences will speak about the past year and upcoming events.

PTA Meeting to follow!

Thank you for continuing to collect items for the December Bargain Basement event during the summer.  The Bargain Basement is our event where the students purchase gently used items using Cougar Cash during the school day.  Please keep this event in mind when cleaning out your closets this summer.  We will ask for these items in December if you can hold onto them for that long!

Thank you also for continuing to collect box tops and Campbells soup labels over the summer.  Bring them in at the start of next school year!

Have a nice summer ahead.  Thank you for your volunteering this past year.  I am available for questions and comments all summer.

Deirdre Ralph
ralphjd@verizon.net

Monday - PTA Speaker 6 pm and PTA Meeting 6:30 pm

Please consider attending the talk of our April PTA Speaker , Carol Mohsberg, Annapolis U.S. Navy School Liason, this Monday night, April 8th at 6 pm, in the Bates Media Center.

April is the Month of the Military Child.  Carol will speak about area military families and their children.

We will then follow with the PTA Meeting at 6:30.  We will discuss the following:

• April 27th 5K, 8 am at the Bates Track.  Sign up on www.active.com and type in the search word, Bates 5K.  Free for all Bates students.  Non-Students and all others:  Under 18 = $25 and 19 and Older = $30.  
• Nominating Committee formation - PTA Executive Board Officers for next year
• April Restaurant Night - Ruby Tuesday, April 17, 18 and 19
• May Restaurant Night
• June Restaurant Night - Wild Orchid or Level
• CAC questions regarding School Start Times
• Bates Field Day - watermelon volunteers needed
• Upcoming AHS Parent Forums on Discipline and School Uniforms
• Staff Appreciation Week planning

Thank you and see you Monday night,

Deirdre Ralph

PTA speaker topics

Please follow this link to express your interest in 6 pm speaker topics to take place prior to the February and March PTA meetings.   Thank you for giving us your feedback!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/QGGK6ZR

Amy Beller, LCSW-C

Wiley H. Bates Middle School

410 263-0270

abeller@aacps.org

Together at Bates

2013 PTA events

Hi Bates Middle School Community,

Our second semester 2013 PTA Meetings and Coffee with the Principal are as follows:

Jan 14 - PTA Meeting, 6:30 pm and then Family Book Club discussing the book "Wonder"
Jan 25 - Coffee with the Principal, 8:15 am

Feb 11 - PTA Meeting, 6:30 pm

Mar 1 - Coffee with the Principal, 8:15 am
Mar 11 - PTA Meeting, 6:30 pm

April 8 - PTA Meeting, 6:30 pm
April 26 - Coffee with the Principal, 8:15 am

May 13 - PTA Meeting, 6:30 pm

June 10 - PTA Meeting, 6:30 pm

We meet in the Bates Media Center for the PTA Meetings and Coffees.

Please join us,
Thank you,
Deirdre Ralph
PTA President

Happy Holidays to all!

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to the Bates Middle School community!

The Nutcracker performance was a top-rate production and a joy to watch last night with my children.  Great job to the parents who volunteered, the teachers who helped and especially Ms. Shea and Ms Genovese.  The costumes and dancing are spectacular.

Enjoy the holiday break and don't forget to read "Wonder" by RJ Palacio.  Our family will return our copy to the Annapolis Public Library tomorrow so reserve your copy now!  It is a wonderful story.

Andrea Sporre, the Bates Librarian will discuss "Wonder" at the Family Book Club evening on January 14th, following a shortened PTA meeting.  The students will also discuss the book in small groups during the school day.  Please consider attending our first Family Book Club.

Thank you for your first semester support to the PTA,
Deirdre

Letter from National PTA and Connecticut PTSA

December 17, 2012

It is with heavy hearts and the deepest sympathy that we express our condolences to the families and communities affected by the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. We have watched with profound sadness, pained that school violence has again claimed so many beloved students and educators. As you read these words, the families in Newtown, Connecticut are enduring unspeakable heartache and loss. Together let us pray that they will receive the comfort they so desperately need. 

National PTA and the Connecticut PTSA pledge our unwavering support to the Newtown community. In the past few days, we have met with PTA leaders of all of the schools in Newtown, including the Sandy Hook PTA, and community leaders who have requested our help in supporting the families. For those of us who are looking to be of assistance in the aftermath, we share the following projects in need of your support:

Welcome Students to a Winter Wonderland

When school resumes for Sandy Hook, it will be in a new building. Parent-volunteers are working to ensure that the students are welcomed back by a winter wonderland with the entire school decorated with as many unique snowflakes as possible. We encourage senders to be as creative as possible, remembering that no two snowflakes are alike. Please make and send snowflakes by January 12, 2013 to the Connecticut PTSA address at the end of this email.  

Donating and Organizing Fundraisers for Sandy Hook Elementary School

Donations will be accepted indefinitely to the Connecticut PTSA “Sandy Hook Fund” to provide ongoing support to the community. Please send checks to the Connecticut PTSA address listed at the end of this email. Group fundraising projects may include walk-a-thons, spirits days, pajama days, etc., which may be scheduled at your convenience.

For student-run coin drives, please submit all donations by February 14, 2012.

The Newtown community has requested only monetary donations at this time. For service or product donation inquiries, please contact newtownboe@gmail.com. To contact Sandy Hook PTA, please email sandyhook@ctpta.org.

National PTA Advocacy

Toward the end of the week, we will be prepared to share with you how best to advocate for school safety at the state and federal levels in response to this tragedy. As we said on Friday, National PTA prioritizes the protection of children in all schools and believes it is fundamental to learning. We have several position statements and resolutions related to school violence and child safety, which we will package and share widely very soon. Rest assured, we fully plan to engage our powerful network of nearly 5 million dedicated members to make a difference on this issue.

Resources

Many parents may feel at a loss about how to approach the subject of school violence with their children. For information on helping your child cope, discussing issues of violence and hate, and keeping your school safe, please visit our website at PTA.org/schoolviolence.

Thank you for your generous support and dedication to the children and families of Newtown, Connecticut. 


Warm regards,

Betsy and Jim

Betsy Landers National PTA President

Jim Accomando Connecticut PTSA President

Please send all snowflakes and donations to: 
Connecticut PTSA
60 Connolly Parkway
Building 12, Suite 103
Hamden, CT 06514

PTA Meeting - Monday night, Dec 10th

Hello Bates Middle School Community,

We will be having our December PTA meeting on Monday, December 10th at 6:30 pm in the Media Center.

It is such a busy time of the year but we appreciate your attendance and I promise to keep it quick!

Deirdre

Nov 12th PTA Meeting - Two Speakers

Hello Bates Middle School Community,

Our next PTA Meeting is Monday, November 12th, at 6:30 pm in the Bates Media Center.

However, at 6:00 pm, we will host Nancy Heiles, the IB Diploma Programme Coordinator at 
Annapolis High School, as our pre-meeting speaker.  She will speak and answer questions about the IB Diploma Program at AHS as well as the application process which must be completed by November 30th.

During the PTA meeting, at 7:00 pm, Jennifer Smith, Science Department Chair, will speak and field questions regarding changes to the science projects at Bates.  Science projects are due for 8th grade students but 6th and 7th grade students will also work on science projects but not submit them.  Come and learn about the 2012-2013 changes to the science project program.

Thank you for considering attendance at these meetings,

Deirdre

PTA Meeting, Monday Oct 8th at 6:30pm

Hi Bates Community,

We will have our October PTA meeting on October 8th at 6:30 - 8:00 pm in the Media Center on the second floor of Bates.  Please join us for our meeting held on Columbus Day.

The agenda for this PTA Meeting will include discussions or reports about the October Wellness Event, upcoming plans to show the movie "A Road to Nowhere" at AHS, the Otis Spunkmeyer cookie fundraiser summary, the Chess Club and more.

Volunteer Orientation will be held just PRIOR to the PTA meeting from 5:30 - 6:15 pm.  Becki Hutchison, the Bates Middle School Volunteer Coordinator, will conduct this second offering of volunteer training.

Thanks for all your help in the making the school year at Bates Middle School successful,

Deirdre

First PTA Meeting and PTA Meeting Dates

Here's hoping that all Bates students are having a relatively easy adjustment back to school.  A three day weekend is almost here which is just in time.

The first PTA meeting will be on September 10th at 6:30 in the Bates Media Center.  We encourage event chairs as well as all interested parents to attend this meeting.  During the meeting, we will present and approve the budget, discuss programs for the year ahead, listen to the Principal's report from Mr. Deroo and meet our event chairs.

PTA meetings will be the second Monday of the month at 6:30 in the Bates Media Center.  The dates are as follows:

September 10th

October 8th

November 12th

December 10th

January 14th

February 11th

March 11th

April 8th

May 13th

June 10th

Hope to see you at these meetings for a great year ahead,

Deirdre Ralph

PTA President