FSUS PTSA will celebrate Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week May 5-9.  Our theme this year is Hand in Hand, Together We Can: Awaken, Educate, Shape, Inspire and Illuminate the Future!  Our teachers and staff awaken creativity, educate the mind, shape future leaders, inspire the learner and illuminate the future by bringing the light of hope and knowledge to our children.

Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week provides an opportunity for all of us to celebrate our educators.  When we applaud our teachers and staff, children recognize the value of education, and the school feels that others support their contribution to the community and their tremendous impact on our future.  Our school currently employs 215 educators, administrators and staff, and we will need over 80 volunteers to help make this wonderful week a reality.  We invite you to "lend a hand" in the planning, promotion and hosting of FSUS Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week.  Click on the links to volunteer for any of the following events:

Monday           May 5         Teacher & Staff Breakfast

Tuesday          May 6         Hand Massages and National Teacher's Day Reception

Wednesday     May 7         Teacher & Staff Field Day; SGA Ice Cream Social

Thursday         May 8         Tropical Smoothies & Elementary Career Parade

Friday          May 9      Teacher & Staff Luncheon catered by Pepper's Mexican Grill                               
This year we are requesting each student bring a $3.00 donation to offer a catered luncheon. We will have a collection envelope available in each elementary cluster from Monday, April 14, 2008 until Friday, April 25, 2008.  The middle and high school students are requested to turn their money into their homeroom teacher or the front office.  Please send your $3 in an envelope labeled: TSA CATERED LUNCH.  Checks should be made payable to FSUS PTSA.

This weeklong event is a wonderful opportunity for us to applaud the tremendous impact the FSUS teachers and staff have on our children and their future; and with everyone's participation, it will be the best week ever!

So please remember to volunteer, to send your $3 in an envelope labeled: TSA CATERED LUNCH from Monday, April 14, 2008 until Friday, April 25, 2008 to you homeroom teacher or the front office, and please contact me with any questions.

Amy Springer
Teacher and Staff Appreciation Chair
h2obaby777@yahoo.com
877-9825

A wave of my wrist, a bat of my eye
All can see, I shine with pride

The way I walk, the way I stride
With my head held high, I exude with pride

The way I dance, the way I move
Lets them know, they can't steal my groove

The way I talk, the way I smile
You can see my confidence for miles and miles

Being me, with all my ingenuity, artistry and veracity
With me, there is no one with the slightest similarity.

Victoria received an Award of Merit from the Florida PTA Reflections state competition!  Her name is posted on the Florida PTA web site in the Reflections section.

Congratulations, Victoria, on this outstanding achievement.  We are so proud of you and all the students who submitted entries to the PTA Reflections program.

Bonnie Abellera
Reflections Chair
leonpta1@yahoo.com

Health and Safety Fair a Big Success
The PTSA's Health and Safety Fair was a huge success this year, thanks to the many volunteers and participants who worked hard so our kids could learn about many health and safety-related opportunities in our community.  The decision to hold the fair during school hours rather than after school and target kids rather than parents made a big difference.  Many teachers brought their classes to the fair en masse and the 30 participants hosted about 400-500 students overall.

Thanks to the following volunteers:  Cheryl Dippre, Mark Mahoney, LaKay Allen, Joan Muller, Elaine Parmer, Kathy Bradley, Cathy Thurston, John Paul II High School, Debbie Norberto, Debbie Gibson, Jennie Dekle, Bonnie Abellera, Gwendolyn Pack, Julie Lengacher, Josephine Krell, Kasey Chapin, Mallory Jackson, Shayde Adams, Holly Sharpton, Giezelle Gallon, Henry Vogt and many others for helping the fair run smoothly.

Thanks also to the following participants who helped our kids learn about health and safety: Cross Chiropractic, Damayan Organization, Florida Sports Foundation, FWC Boating and Water Safety, LCHD, Kids and Tween Yoga, New Leaf Market, Red Cross, Reiki, SADD;, Tallahassee Dietetic Assn., TPRD, Tallahassee Sleep Diagnostic Center, TCC Dental Hygiene, YMCA Southwood and Yoga with Leslie Hanks.

School Garden
About 20 elementary school kids have planted a spring garden in the PTSA-sponsored garden club that meets for one hour after school three days a week.  Most of the vegetables are sprouting, including sugar peas, onions, cucumbers, yellow squash, potatoes, radishes, bush beans, carrots, and some herbs donated by FAMU.  Crops were selected based on their ability to produce by the time school is out.  Anyone wishing to look at the garden can stop by the site just north of the playground.  Thanks to the parent volunteers who make this project a reality.

Healthy Snacks on Campus
The PTSA continues to lead the charge toward healthier snacks on campus.  The baseball and softball concession stands were surveyed in March, and the PTSA's pilot program to provide concession stands with healthy foods like bananas, granola bars, fruit juice and nuts has been completed.  Final data along with recommendations for improvements will be presented to the school's Wellness Committee and Board of Directors before the end of the school year.

How Much Sugar is in Your Soda?
Soda continues to be a favorite kid's drink, but everyone should realize that one of the reasons soda is so alluring is because it contains a lot of sugar.  Most 12 ounce cans of soda contain about 10 teaspoons (40 grams) of sugar per can.  To get the idea, try adding this much sugar to your next cup of coffee.  These empty calories are one of the reasons the federal government has identified soda as a "food of minimal nutritional value."  Many sodas also contain caffeine.  

While there is no soda machine available to children on campus, these drinks remain popular with students at concession stands and school events like the spring carnival.  To learn the exact sugar content of a specific brand of soda, visit http://www.energyfiend.com/sugar-in-drinks/.