3 Teacher PTO minigrants awarded!

We are pleased to award 3 teacher minigrants in this Fall award cycle.

Ms. Then will receive $150.00 to create a Fourth grade Comics Club.  As Ms. Then notes, ‘The educational potential of combining pictures and words has become apparent; in a world where children are faced with a multiple of electronic gadgets and distractions, they still love to read comic books!”

Ms. Head will receive $200.00 to purchase software applications for the IPad mini initiative. The first grade team, along with the ITF and Literacy Coach of Claxton, was awarded a grant from ACSF to purchase 30 IPad minis, and no funds remained for purchase of software. This grant will purchase the software needed.

Ms. Lange was awarded $150.00 to help expand the Spanish/English Bilingual section of our library. Students from K-5 will be affected by the expansion of this section in the media center.

Please join the PTO in congratulating these teachers when you see them!

The spring minigrant deadline will be announced later in the school year.

Last Chance to Shop the Book Fair!

Our in-school Book Fair has ended, but you are still able to shop the Online Book Fair now through October 22nd. This extended shopping will give you a chance to shop an expanded selection of titles, find an out-of-stock book or just stock up on some reading favorites

Best of all, purchases benefit Claxton. All online orders ship for FREE to the school, after the Online Fair has ended.

Benefits of Online Shopping:

Ø Convenient access 24 hours! Expanded selection for ALL ages—preschool to adult

Ø Search for books by category, grade, age & price

Ø ALL purchases benefit our school

Ø FREE shipping directly to our school (orders will be sent home with your child)

So check out the Online Book Fair and thanks for supporting our school!

To access Claxton's book fair, go to http://onlinebookfairs.scholastic.com/default.aspx?f=3186561

Open Dream Ensemble needs help providing breakfasts

Oct. 30-Nov. 1 the Open Dream Ensemble will be sending 8 actors from Charlotte for a 3-day residency teaching science through playwriting and acting to 14 classes at Claxton.  We received a grant to fund the residency, but they have asked that we provide them with breakfast for each of the three days of their visit.

Below is a link to a google spreadsheet where you can sign up to help out by bringing one breakfast item for one day (e.g., bagels or coffee or fruit or juice).  All you have to do is bring enough for 8 people to the Teacher Break-room by 8:00 on the morning you have chosen.

The ODE has also let us know that they would be most appreciative if we can provide them with discount coupons or other deals to local restaurants to help defray the cost of their other meals.  Let me know if you can help with this.

Otherwise, I really appreciate you signing up below.  Thanks for your help! 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AgWLw83omCwIdDZJVVc3ajZwa1hjbFpCZzdORGJwNkE&usp=sharing

The Read-A-Thon has Begun!

Last year's Read-A-Thon was a huge success. Many of our children jumped reading levels because of all the extra time they spent reading. They also helped raise over $6,000 for Claxton! Because of the success of the Read-A-Thon, for the first time we were able to take all the profits from the Scholastic book fair and give each teacher $160 to buy books for their classroom.

Let's make this year's Read-A-Thon an even bigger success! This week, your child brought home a reading log and a pledge sheet to participate in this fundraiser. If you have misplaced or did not get a letter and these forms, there are more at the front desk in the lobby. As a reminder, the Read-A-Thon ends Thursday, October 24th.

If you have any questions please contact either Joan Best at joansbest@gmail.com or Julie Porter-Shirley at julescashion@yahoo.com

International Walk/Bike to School Day on October 9, 2013

CONTACT: Coach Swain 828-350-6532 jesse.swain@asheville.k12.nc.us

                                         

Claxton Elementary School will celebrate

International Walk/Bike to School Day on October 9, 2013

WHAT:                       Claxton Elementary School in Asheville, NC will be joining schools from around the world to celebrate International Walk/Bike to School Day on October 9, 2013.

                                   

WHERE:                    If your child already walks or bikes to school, we ask that they do the same on October 9^th. For all students and parents who are interested in participating in the Walk/Bike who do not live in walking distance of the school can meet at two locations: the parking lot at Weaver Park, or in the parking lot at Fuddruckers on Charlotte St. Staff members will be at both locations by 7:15. We will leave both locations at 7:30 en route to Claxton.  

WHEN:                      Gather at 7:15 a.m., walk to begin at 7:30 a.m.    

SIGNIFICANCE:      In the U.S., International Walk to School Day is expected to include more than 4,000 events across all 50 states. Walkers from the U.S. will join children and adults in 40 countries around the world.

Walk to School events work to create safer routes for walking and bicycling and emphasize the importance of issues such as increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, traffic congestion, concern for the environment and building connections between families, schools and the broader community.

The event is being organized by Claxton Elementary School’s Wellness Team. All students who participate will receive a bottle of water and a Cliff Bar.

Walk to School Day in the USA                                 www.walktoschool.org                       

National Center for Safe Routes to School                www.saferoutesinfo.org

International Walk to School Day                               www.iwalktoschool.org

Hurrah for Claxton volunteers!

$530 earned for our PTO!

What a wonderful group of volunteers we had at the Claxton PTO aid station for the ACT Marathon this past Saturday!

 We were there at 5:30 in the morning cheering and handing out fluids to runners at mile 4. 

By doing this, we earned a whopping $530.00 for our PTO! 

Come to the International Potluck!

International Potluck

Tuesday, October 8th from 5-7:30 pm

Can you help us by making food from your country? 

How about a traditional game or craft? 

Would you like to demonstrate some traditional dancing from your country? 

All ideas are welcome and appreciated!

Be sure to let us know if you are coming: Click on this link to get the form for signing up here!

Questions? Email Rachael Lange at rachael.lange@asheville.k12.nc.us, Spanish teacher at Claxton."