Applications for 2013 - 2014 FLL accepted through April 12th!

For the 2013 fall season, teams will conduct scientific research based on the theme "Nature’s Fury," and will propose an innovative solution to a real-world issue related to their research. Teams will also design, build and program a robot to compete in a game based on the same theme. Through all of this, teams must embrace the core values of teamwork, community service, "coopertition" and fun. Teams will compete in a regional tournament in November.

There are a limited number of spaces per team, and students must apply to participate.  Application information is available here.  Completed applications are due April 12th.  

Registration fee for the 2013 - 2014 season will be $60 and will be due when team placements are announced.  (The fee is waived for students with financial need).

Please email Jenny Manner for more information or questions. 

Side Items Still Needed for Staff Appreciation Lunch, Friday, March 15th

We are still in need of some more parents to sign up to bring side dishes to go with the meal of tamales for the Staff Appreciation Lunch this Friday, March 15th. You can bring in the dish in the morning and put it in the teacher’s lounge. The volunteer coordinator will be on hand to assist you and make it easy!

Please sign up using the google doc spreadsheet link here:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AlOkoI25VAS-dFhlWlNHc0VtQ1NGV0xfaV81d3psZEE&usp=sharing

We are especially in need of beans, rice, and salad.

If you have any questions please contact Melissa Kledismkledis@yahoo.com

Thank you and let's show Claxton staff and teachers some love!”

Beginner's Spanish Conversation Group

FIRST Lego League Parent Meeting - March 12th

3rd & 4th graders, interested in the FIRST LEGO Robotic League this fall?

If you are the parent of a rising 4th or 5th grader, and if your child is interested in the FIRST Lego League (FLL) program, please plan to attend a parent meeting on Tuesday March 12, at 6pm in the Claxton Media Center.

For the 2013 fall season, teams will conduct scientific research based on the theme "Nature’s Fury," and will propose an innovative solution to a real-world issue related to their research. Teams will also design, build and program a robot to compete in a game based on the same theme. Through all of this, teams must embrace the core values of teamwork, community service, "coopertition" and fun. Teams will compete in a regional tournament in November.

There are a limited number of spaces per team, and students must apply to participate.  Applications will be due April 12th.

At the parent meeting, learn more about the program, what students can expect and the commitment required to participate.  We also need parents to make this happen!  We will be discussing how team parents will be involved..

If you can't attend, please contact Jenny Manner or Sarah Thornburg.

Meet the School Board Candidates

Fourteen candidates are vying for three seats on the Asheville City Schools Board of Education this month as City Council considers which contenders to interview and appoint over the next couple weeks.  Read about each candidate in the Asheville Citizen-Times.  

Members of the school board are appointed by Asheville City Council.  If you are interested in sharing your support for a particular candidate, click here to find out how to contact members of City Council. 

District-wide PTO meeting March 21st

We have a date set for our next District-wide PTO Meeting:

• Thursday, March 21st, 12:00-2:00 PM
• Asheville City Schools Board Room, 85 Mountain Street
• Lunch will be provided by Asheville City Schools (advise us of any dietary restrictions)
• Childcare is available (please let us know if you need it)
• RSVP by Monday, March 18th

We will continue the conversation from the previous PTO meeting of after-school programming.

This time around, some Asheville-area youth program providers will be joining us with the hope of building momentum to get some tangible plans/goals/accomplishments in place for next school year. I would love to have at least 2 people from each school attend. While the focus is on elementary school, this may be a good opportunity for the high school to consider ways they could partner with youth program providers, perhaps with an emphasis on 9th graders. It would also be great to have the Middle School PTO there to provide some feedback on IRL.

And, of course, this will be a good opportunity for parents of all ACS schools to discuss topics, ideas and concerns—above and beyond after-school programming. Our meeting space will be available until 2:30 for those who would like to stay and network. Asheville City Schools will provide lunch.

If you would like to submit an additional item to put on the agenda, please let me know.

Feel free to email me with any questions, concerns or suggestions.

Sincerely,

Jay Lively
Volunteer Training and Outreach Programs Director
Asheville City Schools Foundation
828-350-6135

Kudos and Heartfelt Congratulations!

Our own Tracy Dew was nominated for and will receive the award for ACSF's Parent Volunteer Champion for 2012-13!!  If you aren't familiar with the work Tracy does on behalf of Claxton students, let us assure you that this is an honor truly earned and well deserved.  

Tracy works with our school social worker, Mark Ackerman, and counselor, Dee Dee Allen, as the driving force behind the Claxton Family Night program at Pisgah View apartments.  She also coordinated the Christmas sponsorship program for families in need this year, ensuring that Claxton students and their families facing financial hardship got to celebrate a holiday filled with gifts, generosity and happiness along with everyone else. 

Tracy's efforts at Claxton underscore and demonstrate that Claxton really is a community as well as a school.  She creates opportunity for all of us to participate in the success of all of our students, proving that we can accomplish great things together.  

Please plan to attend this year's Celebration of Champions on Sunday, April 14 to help the Asheville City Schools Foundation honor Tracy and all of the volunteers who do so much for our schools and our students.  We'd love to have a great Claxton representation there for this extra special event!

Again, Congratulations, Tracy!!!