Friday+Flash


 * In case you missed this week's (Feb 1st) email...**

**PTA News and Information**  

The Scholastic Book Fair will once again be held Feb. 21 during Open House through March 1. Shop before school, during lunch or recess. Choose a book that will help you get through the winter doldrums! Parents, please remember to add sales tax when computing the total and sending in money with your children. A flyer will be sent home the week of Feb. 18, so look in your child's backpack.
 * SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR**

Please consider volunteering your time to help with the Book Fair. Volunteers are needed during Open House and each morning after until March 1. As an incentive, each volunteer may choose a book from the fair as a small token of appreciation for your time! If you are available to help, please contact Sherri Kotwica at __ snook90@hotmail.com __.

ROSS CHESS CLUB It's time again for the Ross Chess Club! The spring session will meet for six weeks beginning on Feb. 20 and then continuing on Wednesdays through March 27. The club meets from 3:30 until 4:30 p.m. Players of all levels are welcome from kindergarten through sixth grade. No knowledge of chess is needed, and chessboards are provided. The teacher will present a lesson at approximately 3:30 and then divide students of similar levels into pairs for a game. More information, visit __ http://rosspta.wikispaces.com/Chess+Club __ or feel free to contact the PTA sponsor Bob or Sandra Cleric or __ rcleric@verizon.net __, if you have questions.

LAB RATZ SPRING SESSION Dissect, Build, Blow-up, Explore... with the Lab Ratz! Held from Feb. 12 through March 12, the program will meet from 3:45 to 5:00 p.m. Please register by Feb. 8. Lab Ratz Science Club is a five-week program that presents basic science principles in an engaging, hands-on manner which encourages students to be inventive and creative, to question the world around them and to make discoveries through firsthand experimentation. This session is open to all students in grades 1 to 3 and 4 to 6. Every session explores a different topic and never repeats, so your student will have a different lesson to look forward to every week. Additional information at __ http://rosspta.wikispaces.com/LabRatz __ or feel free to contact the PTA sponsor, if you have questions - Bob or Sandra Cleric or __ rcleric@verizon.net. __

Ross Dance students are invited to be part of a group purchase for the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre production of Cinderella on April 21 at 2 p.m. at the Benedum Center. For more information, visit __ http://rosspta.wikispaces.com/file/view/cinderella%20ballet.pdf __ or email __ reiterkreps@yahoo.com __.
 * GROUP PURCHASE TICKETS TO PITTSBURGH BALLET THEATRE PRODUCTION OF CINDERELLA**

The Ross Parent Teacher Organization will be raffling off four tickets to the April 5 Penguins vs. New York Rangers game! Seller's prize is an iPod Touch! Details will be released soon.
 * DO YOU WANT TO GO TO A PENGUINS GAME?**

Boys and girls grades 2 through 9 are invited to join in Ross PTA-sponsored theatre classes, beginning Wednesday January 30! Workshops are instructed by Annie Snyder and meet weekly on Wednesdays at Ross Elementary. More details including cost and class descriptions will be __ posted on the the Ross PTA wiki __. Email questions to __ lrduerig@verizon.net __ or __ lmt51@pitt.edu __ or call Lynn Duerig at 412-492-0682 or Lynne Taiclet at 412-414-4001.
 * THEATRE WORKSHOPS AT ROSS BEGIN SOON**

This is a reminder that email is the primary means of communication for the Ross Dance Program. If your email address has changed, please send the updated address to Nicole Roncone at __ nlroncone@verizon.net __. There is much information to come. Don't miss out!
 * ROSS DANCE PROGRAM COMMUNICATIONS**

The Morning Care program is looking for donations of gently used board games. If you have any old games you would like to donate please drop them off at the Ross Elementary main office with a note attached designating them to the Morning Care program. Thank you.   **PTA GRATITUDE PAGE**  The PTA Board would like to thank all of the parents/guardians who have volunteered their time to various fundraising and school events throughout the year. We have recently added a "gratitude" page to __ our website __ to acknowledge those who have helped out. Please check out the page. You may email our board secretary at __ allisonmathis@verizon.net __ with the names of any other helpers you would like us to acknowledge!  **BOX TOPS**  Please continue to send in your Box Tops for our next classroom contest in the spring and the individual contest at the end of the school year. More details will follow.  **TYSON PROJECT A+™**  Ross Elementary is now taking part in a national fundraising program sponsored by Tyson Foods, Inc. called Tyson Project A+™. Through this program, we can raise as much as $12,000 for our school this year! All we have to do to participate is clip and save the entire Project A+™ label from participating Tyson products. Each label we collect is worth 24 cents for our school. Just send them in with your child, and we will do the rest! Let's support our school! Clip and save Tyson Project A+™ labels today. If you would like more information about the program, __ click here __.  **ROSS PTA WIKI**  Please use this resource to stay up-to-date on the Ross PTA! The PTA is a large part of your child's educational experience. There are many committees and activities YOU can be involved in as a parent. __ Visit the Ross PTA wiki __!
 * BOARD GAMES DONATIONS NEEDED**

If you have received a letter regarding your child's attendance, school board policy mandates parents receive warnings when attendance reaches certain thresholds. If your child has had multiple illnesses this year, and has had be absent for multiple days of school, we are urging you to reconsider family trips and discretionary days off. **OPEN HOUSE SCHEDULE** Elementary Open House is scheduled for Feb. 21 from 5 to 8 p.m. Open house times are staggered in order to allow for ample parking and to minimize traffic in the hallways. Our Open House schedule will be as follows: We certainly understand that all families are busy; therefore, the times are flexible. If needed, you may attend at a time that is more convenient for your family. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">We hope you will join us to enjoy the following: <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">**CUSTOMIZING YOUR CHILD'S NUTRIKIDS ACCOUNT** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">North Hills School District Food Services uses a computerized system for meal purchases at all of our schools. This system, Nutrikids, allows parents to pay in advance for meals and/or a la carte items. Money is only deducted when your student uses his/her account. The system will know the meal status (free, reduced or full price) of your student and will deduct the money accordingly. Snacks and extra items are available at full price. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">North Hills Food Services Department partners with families to ensure that their wishes are met in regard to their children's lunch and a la carte purchases. Parents have the ability to request messages appear on the screen for the food service worker as the child enters his/her code. Below is a sampling of current messages that are used by some families: <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">If you would like one of the above messages or any other message added to your child's account, please send written notification to Noreen Sarazen at __ sarazenn@nhsd.net __ or go to the __ Food Service website for more information __.
 * [[image:https://imgssl.constantcontact.com/ui/images1/s.gif caption="PrincipalsNotes"]]**<span style="color: #a20000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 21.3333px;">Principal's Notes ** <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">   <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">**ATTENDANCE**
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">5 to 6:15 p.m.: Families with last names beginning with L-Z
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">6:30 to 8 p.m.: Families with last names beginning with A-K
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Exciting student work and displays in the school
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Dinner or snacks in the Ross Café
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">No a la carte allowed unless student pays cash.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Lunch of day only.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">A la carte only permitted on Wednesday.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Type 1 Diabetic - Ask if he/she has been to see the nurse.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Snack sales on Monday, Wednesday and Friday only.

<span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">**COLDER WEATHER** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">As the temperatures fluctuate and become colder, it is important that students come to school prepared for outside recess. Students will go outside as many days as possible when it is not raining and when the temperature is above approximately 32 degrees. Students that are not dressed for the weather may need to attend academic recess. Students should have a coat, long pants and appropriate head and footwear on cold days. If any families need help with winter clothing such as coats, confidential assistance is available through our counselor, Mrs. McElhinney, at 412-318-1546. During the school day, the entire Ross campus is closed to public use. This includes the sidewalks around the building, the track, the field, the playground, and the parking lot. Community members are welcome and encouraged to use the Ross Elementary facilities with proper school district permits after the students are dismissed for the day - typically after 3:45 p.m. during the week.
 * SCHOOL PROPERTY REMINDER**

Also at no time are any types of skis or pets permitted on the track or the football field areas. Please direct other community members to the posted signs if they are unaware of the district policies. Thank you!

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North Hills Community Swim Program registration will be held on Feb. 5 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the North Hills Junior High School large group instruction room. Registration will be conducted on a first come, first serve basis. __ Learn more... __
 * [[image:https://imgssl.constantcontact.com/ui/images1/s.gif caption="News"]]**<span style="color: #a20000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 21.3333px;">News ** <span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">
 * COMMUNITY SWIM REGISTRATION SET FOR FEB. 5**

North Hills School District has proposed changes to the bell and busing scheduling potentially starting in the 2013-14 school year that will affect all students and teachers throughout the district. The proposed changes would save between $278,580 and $464,300 each year due to the elimination of six to 10 buses, aid in preserving NHSD's quality academic programs, create a true North Hills Middle School for seventh- and eighth-grade students and rectify potential safety risks on the secondary schools campus. **NHSD's Board of Education will discuss the proposed changes during the Feb. 4 work session at 7 p.m. in the Central Administration Center and Feb. 18 legislative meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the junior high LGI room. The board plans to vote on the proposed changes on Feb. 18**. To see all related information and presentations and learn how to contact your representative on the PTA/PTSO Task Force to share your comments and questions, __ click here __. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">**NORTH HILLS BACKPACK INITIATIVE IN NEED OF DONATIONS** <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13.3333px;">Donations are now being accepted at Ross Elementary for the NH Backpack Initiative. The program operates on donations and an estimated 36,000 food items will be required this year for local families in need as 1,000 items are distributed weekly. Approximately 150 North Hills District families in five district buildings rely upon the program each week for individual care packages and family-size bags of food packed by North Hills students. Any food donations (**especially fruit cups and pudding cups**) can be placed in the black bin in the office. Monetary/check donations can be left in an envelope in Mrs. McElhinney's mailbox or can be sent to North Hills Junior High School, Attn: Backpack Initiative, 55 Rochester Road, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15229. Make checks payable to North Hills Foundation and include "Backpack Initiative" in the memo line. __ Click here for a list of suggested donations __. ||
 * NHSD ADMINISTRATION PROPOSES CHANGES TO BELL AND BUSING SCHEDULES FOR 2013-14 SCHOOL YEAR**

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 * = //Parents and PTA Chairs//     // If you have questions about the Ross E-News, or would like to submit information to be included in this E-Link, please email your Ross PTA Secretary, Ali Mathis, at __ allisonmathis@verizon.net __. The information is then reviewed and approved by our principal, Mr. Lieberman, and sent to Amanda Hartle for distribution. //