The PTSA is off to wonderful start.  We had our first general meeting while enjoying a delicious pot luck dinner. We wish to thank our guest speakers for coming out after working a long day. These evenings have always been very special to me personally. It allows us to meet with the faculty, administration, guest speakers, parents and students alike.

The PTSA board is comprised of parents who volunteer their time. We are a self governing unit that plans its programs and activities to meet the needs of our FSUS children; our purpose is to bring school and home relations closer together. We strive to raise the home life standard and secure adequate laws for the care and protection of our youth.  Our membership is open to anybody concerned with the education, health and welfare of children and their families.

Parents or guardians are a child's first actual teacher. All adults have the responsibility to ensure that children have the opportunity to develop to their full potential.

The general meetings are all about education and developing friendships outside of our work environments. Come meet the people who are having a large effect on the lives of your children.

Our next General Assembly is Tuesday, October 23.  We look forward to your input and involvement to help further the PTSA.

Suzanne Lane
President
suzannelane@embarqmail.com

While visiting campus from time to time, I'm often approached by students asking, "When will the playground be fixed?"  Up until now, I've simply answered, "Soon."  That is, until today!

It is with great delight that the PTSA Playground and the Florida High Playground Committees announce plans for several custom-designed, community-built playground structures to be installed in early 2008.  Themed after native Florida elements, the playground will serve as an exciting and enriching space for children to safely play.

By choosing a community-build project, our school is being given a unique chance to enrich our community by participating in a project that will bring immeasurable joy and happiness to hundreds of children each and every day.  How often in life are we given a chance to positively impact so many?

Volunteers of every skill level are needed.  Whether you are experienced in construction, or enjoy working with children, or want to assist with food and drinks; there is a way for everyone to contribute.  Please read over the list below and consider which area best suits you: 

• Childcare*: assist with planning and supervision of children during construction. 
• Children's Committee: assist student ambassadors fulfill their role at local functions. 
• Finishing Crew*: assist with the final construction site clean-up.
• Food/Hospitality:  assist with coordinating, securing, and organizing food for volunteers throughout the construction process.
• Fundraising: assist with raising capital for project.
• Materials Coordination*: assist with the gathering of materials necessary for structures through donations or cost-effective means.
• Public Relations/Marketing: assist with media relations and internal/external marketing campaign.
• Technology: assist with the design, implementation, and maintenance of project website.
• Tools/Equipment:  assist with procurement and management of the tools/equipment for the project.
• Volunteer Coordination: assist with finding, scheduling and managing volunteers.

Important note: Each committee with an * needs a volunteer to fill the chairperson's role.

Volunteering is easy.  Simply contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Kasey Chapin, at ka_chapin@yahoo.com or 877-7852 and sign up!  Remember, construction experience is not required and we have volunteer opportunities in every phase of planning, construction and support activities.

If you have a business and would like to contribute or be a playground sponsor please contact our Fundraising Coordinator, Lori Fitzpatrick, at lorif_ptsa@comcast.net or 656-2671.

Save the Date!  MLK '08 - Playground construction is scheduled during the Martin Luther King Holiday, Friday, January 18 through Monday, January 21.

The students have a dream, and it will take all of us to make that dream a reality.  Let's work together to give the children of Florida High the playground they deserve.  Look for more news about the playground project in your child's backpack, over the ListServe, and in the Council Oak over the coming weeks.

Lisa Pessin
Playground Committee Chair
'We Have a Dream'
lapessin@yahoo.com

Bike Rodeo
Bike rodeo is set for Tuesday, October 16 from 2:30PM to 4:30PM on the outdoor basketball courts behind the gym.  The FSU Police Department will set up various stations that consist of obstacle-course type events like the rock dodge and slalom that will teach kids about bike safety while having fun.  There will also be a bike safety check and a limited number of bike helmets will be given away.  A special display of tall bikes from the community bike shop "Krank It Up" also is planned.  There will be prizes and snacks for the kids.  Admission is free.  Kids may bring their bikes to school in the morning and lock them up at the bike racks behind the gym to be available for the after school event.  Rain date is Thursday October 18.

Healthy Snacks on Campus
Those looking for some candy on campus will be out of luck since the administration banned on-campus candy sales starting at the beginning of this school year.  Changes are also appearing in the afterschool program where the school wellness policy's healthy snack standards are being more strictly enforced.  A PTSA survey of this year's changes should be finished next month. 

The FSUS Board of Directors in September approved a requirement that makes the Wellness Committee to annually evaluate the school's wellness programs and make changes where needs are identified.  I appeared before the board in support of the changes and to argue that fresh fruit and vegetables should be available to our children instead of just healthier junk food.

The PTSA will continue to monitor the snacks available at campus food outlets like the cafeteria a la carte program, concession stands, afterschool program and various fundraisers, and report this information to the board and the school Wellness Committee.  The PTSA also plans a pilot program to introduce healthier foods at concession stands. 

Any PTSA members interested in assisting with these efforts should contact me.

School Gardens
The elementary school garden project is gearing up for a late October start.  A few parents have agreed to help supervise the kids, but more volunteers and a new faculty sponsor are needed before the program gets off the ground.  Any PTSA member willing to spend one hour a week from 3PM-4PM helping with this project should contact me. 

The afterschool program is considering a 4H club that might also use the garden plots installed last year by the PTSA.

Danni Vogt
Health & Safety Chair
dannivogt@earthlink.net

PTSA General Assembly, October 23, 6:30PM-8:00PM, Tomahawk Cafe

Our second PTSA general meeting of the year promises to be a very important one for all parents and guardians.  Corporal Denise Nestor of the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office (Crime Prevention Unit) will be making an important presentation on the "Live Safe" program.  Corporal Nestor sent the following related to the program:

• One in three girls and one in six boys will be sexually assaulted before reaching adulthood.
• Do what you can as a parent to minimize your child's risk at becoming a victim.
• Living Safe is a lifestyle. What you teach your children today will benefit them the rest of their lives.

The program is designed specifically for adults.  Child care will be provided.

We would like all parents and guardians to plan to attend this important and informative presentation.  Please also let others know.

September PTSA General Assembly

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my fellow colleagues for their assistance with putting together our first PTSA General Assembly of the year on September 18.  I also want to thank all parents and faculty who attended.  A "special" thanks goes out to the two faculty members, Mr. Robert Lengacher and Mr. Jack Mapstone who spoke to those who attended on the importance of effective parent/guardian/teacher communication.  We also benefited from the presence of the high school principal, Mrs. Susan Martelli as well as the Director of Florida High, Mr. Jesse Jackson who provided some important remarks for those in attendance.

Mark Mahoney
3rd Vice President, Programs
marq51@yahoo.com

We're getting off to a good start this school year collecting Box Tops, Campbell's Labels and Tyson A+ Panels. The deadline for turning these labels into your teacher or any collection Box located throughout the school will be October 12.  Prizes will be awarded to students on October 18.

All labels should be placed in a bag/envelope with the students name, teacher's name and grade on them.  This information does not need to be written on each individual label.  Also, if the labels are expired we're unable to use them or give credit to the student.  Remember, each student K-12 will get a prize for participating!

We would like to thank the following companies for their generosity by supporting our program with free coupons for: kid meals, ice cream, sandwiches and cookies.

• Sharkey's Coffee and Bistro, Town Center
• Beef O' Brady's, Capital Circle
• Chili's, Apalachee Pkwy.
• Taco Bell, Apalachee Pkwy.
• Subway, Town Center
• Tropical Smoothie, Magnolia Ave.
• CiCi's Pizza, Capital Circle

Thanks again to every student, parent and teacher for participating and remember:  KEEP CLIPPING!!

Trevor Brumbley                                                 Alicia Cherry
Coordinator                                                        Co-Coordinator
brumfam5@embarqmail.com                              anc2@embarqmail.com