Garnet Gold and Green Committee

The PTSA Garnet Gold and Green Committee obtained six additional white recycling barrels from FSU’s Campbell Stadium and placed them in needed areas in the athletic fields areas.  Students and other patrons are encouraged to use these for cans and bottles only, not for trash.

The PTSA has also received approval from the administration to plant 16 more shade trees around campus, with 10 new trees and 6 to replace previously planted trees that did not survive last year’s severe drought.  This will bring the total number of trees planted on campus by the PTSA over the last 6 years to about 80. 

Planting will take place during the next six weeks.  The Junior High Citizens of Planet Earth (COPE) group, sponsored by Janet Cotterall, has agreed to assist with the planting.  Any other groups or individuals interested in helping with this project should contact Danni Vogt, Garnet, Gold and Green Committee Chair, at dannivogt@comcast.net.  A free upper body workout will be included.  

Garden
The PTSA Elementary School garden project is showing signs of life, with greens and peas and other vegetables doing nicely.  Thanks to Mr. Tony from the Extended Day program for his time and expertise.

The Reflections creative arts contest under the theme "Diversity means…" concluded successfully last month with 55 total entries from Florida High students from elementary to high school.  The eight first place winners in various categories have been forwarded to the state level of competition, the rest of the entries can be picked up by the students from art teachers Barbara Davis or Ruth Platt.

Cash awards will be given to the winners listed below, with $40 going to first place winners, $20 to second place, and $10 to third place.  All participants will receive a commemorative certificate.  The cash awards and certificates will be distributed at the PTSA General Assembly meeting on January 31.

Thanks to the art professors and photographers and other community members who assisted with the judging: Tim Donovan, Mickey Adair, Ben Bivins, Alicia Wellman, David Maki, Kathleen O’Brien, Carla Vignoul, Niki Branch, Mark Adamson and Stephanie Hafer.  Thanks also to Precious Boatwright for co-chairing the Reflectons Committee. 

The complete list of winners, along with an image of the first place entries, is as follows:

Senior Visual Arts 

1. Samantha Davis
2. Ayanna George
3. Alexis Bowden

Senior Photography 

1. Dakota McGlamory
2. Essence Ling
3. Essence Ling

Middle/Junior Visual Arts 

1. Sydney Spicer
2. Aaysha Williams

Middle/Junior Photography 

Henry Vogt
Henry Vogt

Middle/Junior Literature

1. Isabelle David
2. Francesca Lee
3. Henry Vogt

Middle/Junior Musical Composition

1. Lauryn Brown

Intermediate Visual Arts 

1. Caroline Hamon
2. Leslie Rodriguez
3. Cassidy Bonn

Primary Visual Arts 

1. Emma Rodgers
2. Kimberly NeSmith
3. Rylie Robinson 

For more info, contact Danni Vogt at dannivogt@comcast.net  

Wednesday, October 5th marked International Walk to School Day. Florida State University Schools celebrated the event with 43 student walkers, numerous parents, and some very special guests. Tallahassee Mayor, John Marks, and his wife, Jane led us in some pre-walk stretches. Leon County Commissioner, Kristin Dozier, joined us, along with employees from the Florida Department of Health and our very own FSUS Principal, Neal Trafford!

Two FSU Campus bicyclist police officers escorted our walkers as we left Southwood’s Town Center and headed toward FSUS. Firemen from Tallahassee Fire Station Number 6 were displayed their fire engine. Local CBS affiliate, WCTV, captured the excitement which was aired on the local 5:30pm evening news. If you missed it, here is a link to the aired segment:

 http://www.wctv.tv/floridanews/headlines/Hike_it_Bike_it_Like_it_131174808.html

Don’t forget – although we celebrated International Walk to School Day in October – the PTSA sponsors monthly WALKING WEDNESDAYS as part of our on-going Health and Safety programs. The Walking School Bus or “Walking Wednesday” takes place on the FIRST WEDNESDAY OF EACH MONTH.

Please join us this Wednesday, November 2nd for FSUS Walking Wednesday. We will depart at 7:30am from the parking lot behind The Wharf Express Restaurant (Four Oaks Blvd. & Merchant’s Row). You are able to drop your child off at 7:15am, the Walking School Bus will depart promptly at 7:30am in order to arrive to school on time. Parents and siblings are welcome to join the fun!

If you have questions, please contact PTSA Programs Vice-President, Dawn Jiménez at (850)321-3569.

Our first Donuts for Dads event was a huge success.  Thank you to the Dads and other father figures who brought their children to participate in the early morning event.  We’ll plan at least two more of these morning events during the year and hope to see everyone again.

The next Dads program is called, “Me and My Dad Reading Night”.  Geared toward fathers and children in the elementary grades, 2nd – 4th,  this event is an interactive type reading program that should get kids excited about reading. Dads are encouraged to “get into” the story and encourage creativity within their groups. This isn’t quiet reading time at the library. We are expecting for things to get loud once everyone has a chance to read their books. The FSUS PTSA will provide food and drinks for a cost of $5 per family. PTSA members will pay $3 per family for food. Each participant is also encouraged to wear (or bring) long tube socks to the event–preferably clean…  If there is time at the end of the night we’ll finish up with a “Knock your Socks off” game. Mark your calendars for Tuesday, November 8, from 6:30 – 8 p.m.  The event takes place in the FSUS Tomahawk Café. For more information, please send an email to leonpta1@yahoo.com.

What is “PTA MORE”?
Organizations in PTA’s Men Organized to Raise Engagement (MORE) alliance are dedicated to raising the level of engagement between children and the important men in the lives.

The mission for Coalition members of PTA MORE is to serve as a conduit for greater father and significant male involvement, resulting in positive outcomes and successful relationships for children, parents, schools and communities. PTA MORE helps PTA leaders and units:

• Work with schools and communities to provide programs that engage fathers and positive male figures in the educational and social development of children,

• Develop male leaders who work with fathers and male role models to enhance positive male parenting and involvement with youth,
• Act as a resource for families, communities and schools on fatherhood initiatives and issues,
  
• Increase the visibility and outreach of the quality programming of the coalition members.

For MORE information, please visit http://www.pta.org/pta_more.asp to find out about coalition members and organizations.

It’s a GREAT time to be a volunteer at Florida High! We are now accepting volunteers, so if you are interested, you may contact me at jparker2838@yahoo.com.

Here are some ways you can help:

* Bike Rodeo on Thursday, October 20th from 2:30-4:30 pm

–> set-up

–> registration

–> publicity

–> bike safety checks

–> working a table

–> knowledge of bicycle safety

–> bicycle repair

–> providing healthy snacks

–> gathering prizes from local bike shops

Click HERE to sign up!

Remember, we need YOUR involvement to make this school year a success! Go Noles!

Jennifer Parker
Volunteer Outreach Chair
jparker2838@yahoo.com
(850) 228-4023

FSUS and PTSA is proud to make available to our juniors and seniors a series of FREE after-school seminars designed to give you the “inside information” for college success. Dr. Sara Hamon, a member of the Florida State University faculty and an FSUS parent, will present the TRANSITIONS Program on four consecutive Tuesdays in October.

Each seminar will run from 3:00pm to 4:00pm in 3-113 (Mr. Strazulla’s classroom) on the following dates:

October 4 – Expert Advice on the College Application Process;
October 11 – What to Expect in College;
October 18 – Time Management for College (Earn A’s AND have fun!); and October 25 – Study Skills for College (Why Tests Matter MORE).

Those in attendance will receive a packet of materials, plus a copy of the book “How to Get Good Grades in College.” PTSA will provide snacks and draw names for prizes. We encourage all FSUS juniors and seniors to take advantage of this great opportunity. Please click here to see the flier for more information.