George Bernard Shaw once said, “the greatest problem in communication is the illusion that it has been accomplished.” As Florida High’s current PTSA President, my goal this year is to ensure that no illusion of communication exists where the PTSA is concerned and that all parents, teachers, and students at Florida High are well informed about our programs, events, meetings, and activities. To do so, we are offering this monthly electronic newsletter for our members and are working toward a PTSA presence on Florida High’s website.

Additionally, PTSA is excited about the number of people that have joined us this year to ensure that every child has a voice at Florida High. PTSA Membership is an annual undertaking and for those who have not yet lent their support by joining or renewing their memberships, please consider doing so. Remember, it is never too late to join the FSUS PTSA!

I look forward to working with you this year and hope that it is a fun, productive one for us all.

Heidi Abernethy
President

We have started calculating the numbers from the Innisbrook Gift Wrap fundraiser, and it looks like there was a lot of support from our wonderful parents, teachers, and students. We will let you know our sales figures in the next issue of the Council Oak.

Pennies for Playtime

The Elementary School has kicked off their Pennies for Playtime fundraiser with a goal of beating last year's total of $6,500. All of the money from this fundraiser goes directly to the playground.

Cookie Dough

Our K-12 Cookie Dough fundraiser starts in November with the sale running through the Thanksgiving holiday and delivery before Christmas. Everyone loves cookie dough and there is no time better to indulge than during the holidays.

Donations

Many parents, grandparents and other friends of Florida High have inquired about making a tax deductible donation in addition to, or instead of, participating in our traditional fundraisers. Simply make your check payable to FSUS PTSA, drop it off at the main office, and we will provide you with a receipt for your tax-deductible gift.

Your support, whether through our traditional fundraisers or through a direct donation, makes it possible to fulfill our teachers' mini-grant requests, fund the book fairs and reading programs, as well as provide snacks to students during FCAT testing. These are just a few examples of our PTSA programs, and we thank you for your contribution.

Lori Fitzpatrick
First Vice President, Fundraising

At our Nutrition Workshop we discussed our new program SNAP (School Nutrition Advisory Panel) and found the most interest for two projects: a school garden and healthy snacks.

School Garden Project

We have asked a local group, the Damayan Garden Project , to help us plan a garden program at Florida High. The Damayan Garden Project has installed school gardens at Kate Sullivan, Hartsfield and Oak Ridge Elementary Schools. FSUS parent Mark Mahoney will work with the administration, faculty and students to develop this project. Mark helped install the Hartsfield program last year, where they had a vegetable (food) garden and a butterfly/caterpillar (science) garden. We hope to have a garden for elementary and another for the middle and high schools going by the end of the year. We would also like to have a separate science garden.

Healthy Snacks Project

We are working with the Florida High Wellness Committee to increase nutritional awareness and make healthier and more nutritional snacks available on campus. Representatives from the Leon County Health Department will work with SNAP in order to develop a model school nutrition program that can be used in other area schools.

Please contact me if you have any questions or comments of if you wish to volunteer to help on any of these projects.

Danni Vogt
Health and Safety Committee Chair

Families Reading Together for Pleasure
September 29
8:30AM to 10:00AM and
11:30AM to 2:00PM

We are proud to announce the start of a new semiannual tradition for the Elementary School at FSUS - Families Reading Together for Pleasure. We are inviting our parents, grandparents, and other special adults to come in to read aloud to their student's class. You may bring a favorite book from home or select a book from our library. A special form will be coming home with your child either in their backpack or homework folder with all of the details. Fill out this form and return it to your child's teacher and we will be in touch to inform you of your time slot and classroom. We will have a Hospitality table where you can enjoy fellowship and refreshments.

We need volunteers to help with our Hospitality table.

Reading Rain Forest
October 9-16

Our library will be transformed into a tropical jungle during our Reading Rain Forest book fair. The Florida High community will have the opportunity to shop at the book fair from 7:30AM and 4:00PM. We need volunteers to staff our book fair, and to help with decorating, set up and break down.

Our Family Night event is October 10 and starts at 5:30PM. Our very own Senor Guestalla will be selling autographed copies of his books. Senor Guestalla's proceeds will go to help support the Spanish Club. Debi Barrett-Hayes and Barb Davis from the Art Department will be selling beverages for the dinner with proceeds benefitting the Art Department. Tickets for dinner by Itza Pizza will go on sale in October. Volunteers are also needed at this event.

Friday Fun in the Elementary Courtyard

Join our Elementary students, faculty, administrators, and parents in the Elementary Courtyard at 8:00AM on the last Friday of every month for Friday Fun. We have special announcements, recognize our Students of the Month, and, of course, dance the Cha Cha Slide. See the Mark Your Calendar section for dates and come join the fun.

Kate Pulver
Reading Programs Chair

Support your school by joining the Florida High Parent Teacher Student Association! Select Your Membership:

• Student ($3)
• Garnet ($5 for Basic Adult Membership)
• Silver ($15 for BAM + T-Shirt)
• Gold ($25 for BAM + Sweatshirt)