May 6, 2013

May begins with celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week.  I encourage our families to take a moment and write a note to a few of your teachers thanking them for supporting and loving our children at Thoreau.  Our generous Hospitality Team led by co-chairs Brandi Brummer, Lynne Turner and Amy Vernon are coordinating a special luncheon and providing other goodies for our staff on behalf of the PTA.

Join our Wednesday morning Garden Club and beautify our courtyard and meet other parents.  We trim, weed, build stone walls, refill bird feeders and have fun!  We are looking for a volunteer knowledgeable about pond maintenance.  Thank you to Liz DiFrancisco our coordinator.

We are entering the season of end of year festivities!    With a focus on the 8th Grade Dance and plans for next year!  We are looking for parents to join our 2013-14 PTA Board next year in the following positions:  Membership, Directory Co-Chair (work with a parent who co-chaired this year), Hospitality Co-chair, Volunteer Coordinator (to work with provided lists to coordinate picture day and health screening day volunteers), Landscape, Reflections, 7^th Grade Dinner and 8^th Grade Dance Chair.  The PTA Board will vote on our 2013-14 Slate of PTA officers on May 23 at a luncheon hosted by NFCU.

President:  Beth Eachus

Vice President:  Anne-Stuart Kirkhorn

Secretary:  Becky Allison

Treasurer:  Erin Kane

The 8th Grade Celebration is scheduled June 7, 7-9pm.  Club Thoreau will host a DJ, Snacks, Photo Booth, Corn Hole games, TONS of Raffle Prizes including spirit wear from Marshall and Madison!  Parents can participate by donating gift cards to local businesses or iTunes for our raffle.  A collection box is in the office.  A SignUpGenius is posted at
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0D44A9A82BA02-8thgrade   for chaparones, snack donations, decoration and clean up committees.  Questions?  Contact 8thgradedance@ThoreauPTA.org.

Thank you to our SCA lead by sponsor Katie Cole-Kelly and our parent volunteers led by Susan Hildebrand for a successful Make the Cut event.  Over 40 donors cut 8" of hair to  to be made into wigs by Pantene Beautiful Lengths for Cancer patients.  Special thank you to our community of hair stylist who donated their Friday night to style donors hair after the pony cuts.  Please consider visiting one of these salons for services and thanking them:
Bellinis
Hair Cuttery in Oakton
Hair Pair
Hair Design Studio
and our fabulous parents who are stylist Jenn Carr and Helen Schaefer!

Congratulations to Thoreau’s Fine Arts Department!  A Thoreau Middle School Art Show is installed at NFCU, with a special reception planned for May 23, 4:30-6 pm.  Over 150 works of art will be on display!  Bravo to our Drama Department.  Guys and Dolls, was a success with over 70 students and many of their parents involved.  Our Music Department consisting of band, orchestra and chorus has performed in a variety of festivals this spring scoring superiors! 

Thoreau Spirit Wear will be on sale at the School Store during lunch Tuesday-Thursdays.  New items include white and navy T-shirts with the school logo!   If you would like to help in the School Store, click the tab above and sign up to volunteer.  Contact SchoolStore@ThoreauPTA.org for more information.

Best Regards,

Jill Hecht
President, Thoreau Middle School PTA