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Dear FSUS Families,
It was great to see so many of you at this week's General  Assembly. I'd like to thank our guest speakers, Principal Trafford and Dr. Wicker, for providing us with a lot of information about issues that are on everyone's mind right now.
Principal Trafford previewed this year's FCAT testing. He stressed that the best way to prepare our children for these tests is with a good night's sleep, a good breakfast and prompt arrival at school. He also encouraged everyone to read the FCAT Guides that came home in the backpack mail. Principal Trafford's also updated everyone on the campus construction projects. Our students and teachers can look forward to much-needed classroom space in the fall.
Dr. Wicker outlined the technological, educational and budgetary challenges that face our school. These are uncertain times, and FSUS and all of our K-12 schools are in serious budgetary crisis. Dr. Wicker encouraged everyone to visit her link on the school website, www.fsus.fsu.edu to keep up with the latest news. Look out for notices from our Legislative Chair, Precious Boatwright, for upcoming opportunities through Florida PTA to make our voices heard to our legislators.
Our meeting was also a time of celebration as we congratulated the winners of our PTA Reflections student art competition. This year's theme was "Wow," and we are so proud of the middle and high school students who submitted entries. A huge thank you also goes to the teachers who supported this program and encouraged their students to participate. Read more about our Reflections winners further down in this newsletter.
FSUS PTSA has a full Spring calendar. We will be working on school-wide recycling, planting a Spring garden, raising funds with a motivating "Fun Run" Spring Fundraiser, providing FCAT snacks and senior scholarships, hosting more family fun nights, The Elementary Reading Challenge, The Bike Rodeo, The Health and Safety Fair, our Teacher Staff Appreciation Week and more. We will offer plenty of volunteer opportunities so please jump in and give your time wherever you can.
We will get through these tough times together. I have been proud to witness our FSUS community support each other in good times and in bad, and I have faith that our school will emerge stronger than ever.
Kasey Chapin
FSUS PTSA President
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February at a Glance
Feb. 5 Family Fun NIght at Skate World
2563 Capital Circle NE, 6:30-8:30 pm
Feb. 20 Box Tops Collection Period #3 Deadline
(turn in to homeroom teacher or front office)
Feb. 26 Bike Rodeo
Basketball Courts, 3:00-5:00 pm
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Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities
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Want to sign up to help out? Click on one of the PTSA sponsored event/projects below:
Interested in helping out with the Bike Rodeo on February 26th? We need you to make this a really fun event. Please contact Pro Hruda for more information.
FCAT Testing isn't too far away. Every year the PTSA provides snacks for students during testing in March. This is a big project and requires lots of helpers. Interested? Contact Kim Slade for more information.
The PTSA is currently looking for volunteers to help out with the Teacher/Staff Appreciation festivities that will take place in May. Interested in heading one of the PTSA's most rewarding events of the year? Please contact Kasey Chapin for more information.
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Family Fun Night at Skate Night - Feb. 5th!
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Been a while since you've laced up and rolled around the rink?
On Thursday, February 5th at 6:30 pm, the PTSA will hold a Family Fun Night at Skate World.
This
is a win-win for everyone. Kids have a great time, parents get much
needed exercise, and part of the proceeds go right back to the school.
In fact, Skate World will give back up to 25% of the earnings if we
have 50 people. Even if we have only 10, they will give our school 20%.
So come on out and show off your moves. It'll be a blast!
Any questions? Contact Amy Hanstein.
Amy Hanstein
Chair, Family Fun Nights
Paige Dietz
Co-Chair, Family Fun Nights
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Box Tops, Campbells, Tyson A+, Community Coffee and Nestle Pure Water Collection Period #3 Deadline - February 20th
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The deadline for the third collection period for Box Tops labels,  Campbell's labels, Tyson A+, and Community Coffee* is Friday, February 20th. Prizes will be awarded on February 27th.
Please make sure your child has the labels in a plastic bag with his/her name, grade and teacher clearly printed on it. Students may give these to either their teachers or drop in the Box Tops container in the front office.
Below are the winners for the second collection period:
K-2
Sean Miliken - 631 labels
Carson Miller - 715 labels
3-5
Dean Delp - 358 labels
Isaiah Springer - 294 labels
6-8
Kirsten Lewis - 110 labels
9-11
Joanna Walker - 291 labels
In addition, we are now adding a new program to collect labels from Nestle Pure Water Company bottles. You can save the label around the bottle to earn points towards merchandise. The link to this is: http://www.goplaylabels.com/ We are starting to collect them now, so students can starts sending them in with their other labels.
*ATTENTION: We are getting ready to send our Community Coffee labels for redemption, so please turn them in ASAP! Thanks to everyone who has turned these in since this is a new program this year. If you know anyone or any company that has these labels, please ask them to save them.
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Health & Safety Update
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Tree Planting and Garden Club
In a few years Florida High sports fans will have it made in the  shade. In January six trees were planted to provide some much needed shade for sporting events. These trees are in addition to the 15 the PTSA previously planted on the elementary school playground. Thanks to Ms. Pater, Ms. Kosiewski, the Girl Scouts and the Middle School Builder's Club for helping put the trees in the ground.
The vegetable garden is taking a break until March. If your elementary school child is interested, look for an email toward the end of February announcing signup for the spring Garden Club. Thanks a bunch to the following volunteers who helped make the fall garden a reality: Susan Brodbeck, Kristen Scovera, Cheryl Dippre, Irene Bivins, and Paul Driggers.
Bike Rodeo - February 26th
The Bike Rodeo is set for Thursday February 26th from 3-5pm on the outdoor basketball courts behind the gym and will allow kids to learn about bike safety while having fun. This event is open to elementary, middle and high school bikers. There will be prizes and refreshments.
No pre-registration is necessary, just show up with your bikes. Anyone seeking more information or wishing to volunteer to help at this fun event should e-mail Pro Hruda or call at 524-4851.
Health and Safety Fair - March 26th
The annual PTSA health and safety fair will take place in the gym on Thursday, March 26th, from 11 am-4pm (the Thursday before Spring Break). This event brings about 50 health and safety-related community groups to campus so that kids can learn what they have to offer, and the providers can see what the kids need. Early preparations have already begun for this fun fest and anyone wishing to volunteer should e-mail Health and Safety Committee Chair, Danni Vogt or call him at 877-5641.
Danni Vogt
Chair, Healthy & Safety
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Legislative Update
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As we prepare for the upcoming Florida Legislative Session, we are sobered by the reality of extreme proposed budget cuts to education. Let your voice be heard. Children in Florida will be affected greatly by such measures.
Let your voice be heard! Contact your state senators and representatives, and express your concerns. Here are the links to the sites:
There will also be a PTA sponsored rally at the Capitol on Wednesday, March 18th at 11:00 am. For more details, visit our website at www.fsusptsa.com
If you have any questions, please contact Precious Boatright.
Precious Boatright
Chair, Legislative
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Fundraising Update - Fun Run - April 28th
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 We are starting to plan our Spring Fundraiser which will kick off on April 20th and the Fun Run will be April 28th during school hours.
The students will come home with a pledge card and are asked to get pledges for laps they complete. ALL students can and will be able to participate, even if they are unable to get any pledges. We will be sending information home. Please visit this website for additional information: www.funrun.com
This is a school wide event and the run will be open to all FSUS families to attend, we encourage you to come and watch your student run/walk.
Our Holiday Shop was a success and all the students seemed to enjoy shopping for their families and friends. We enjoyed the experience and interacting with the kids and will look forward to doing it again next year!
Trevor Brumbley
Ist Vice President, Fundraising
Alicia Cherry
Co-Chair, Fundraising
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Fun Facts About Recycling
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Recycling Glass
Did you know.......?
- Glass can be recycled virtually forever. It never wears out.
- For every 2,000 pounds of glass that is recycled, we save more than 2,000 pounds of other resources (1,330 pounds of sand, 433 pounds of soda ash, 433 pounds of limestone, and 151 pounds of feldspar)
- Most bottles and jars that you use contain at least 25% recycled material.
- The energy saved by recycling just one bottle could light a 100-watt bulb for 4 hours
Heidi Abernethy
Programs Chair
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2008-2009 PTSA Senior Scholarships
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Are you a senior, who is looking for some extra money to use for  college? Every year, the PTSA awards scholarships to soon-to-be graduates. The scholarship amount is $250.00* for each individual scholarship.
If you are interested in learning about the criteria to qualify for each scholarship,a description of each scholarship and the application are available on our website. Please click here for more information.
*See details on website regarding the possibility of receiving a higher amount.
Bonnie Abellera
Chair, Senior Scholarships
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Reading Challenge Update
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At the beginning of this school year, a challenge was given to the  elementary students to read 10,000 books by May. To date, 1931 books have been logged in towards the total. That means that your students have added over 700 books since our last newsletter. Way to go!
Get busy reading, and don't forget to turn in a separate Reading Challenge log to your teachers!
Cori Blomberg
Chair, Reading Programs
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Faculty News
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Congratulations Mr. Bailey!
Danny and Lisa Bailey were married at our very own Florida High on Friday, January 23 at 4:00 pm. The ceremony and reception took place in the High School Courtyard. Faculty and students were in attendance. If you see Mr. Bailey, be sure and congratulate him!Congratulations to Otto Sardinas, Our Newest U.S. Citizen!  Otto Sardinas, High School Spanish Instructor, was sworn in as a U.S. Citizen at the U.S. District Court on January 26, 2009 at 11:00 am. Make sure if you see Seņor Sardinas to congratulate him on this huge milestone!
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Reflections Awards Ceremony
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During our PTSA General Assembly held on Tuesday, January 27th at 6:30 pm, several Florida High Students were presented with ribbons and gift cards for their participation in the PTSA Reflections Program.
Our congratulations goes out to all of those students who participated. And many thanks to the parents andteachers who encouraged them along the way!
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Take Care,
Julie Lengacher
Chair, Technology Committee
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