BRIARGROVE BUZZ                Issue 2                   October 2009 

BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION:  The class that collects the most box tops by October 30th will win a Pizza Party!  Any student collecting at least 50 box tops wins an un-uniform day.  The student who brings in the most box tops wins lunch with the Principal!  Please check the website for Box Top updates.  Congratulations to our first contest winners.  Ms. Cook’s and Mrs. Keppinger’s class both won an ice cream party donated by H.E.B.  A big thank you to our individual winner, McKenna Leach in Mrs. Keppinger’s class who brought in 1255 box tops!  Questions?  Please contact the Box top coordinators:  Kathleen Haley 832-252-0200  and Pam Miller 713-278-8101

BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR VOLUNTEERS: All volunteers must register online and pass a criminal background check before they can participate as a volunteer in any HISD school.  Please go to www.houstonisd.org and go to VIPS login.  Once you have registered, you must go in person to Mary Clare Ward in the front office and show your proof of identification.  The criminal background check can take up to 2-3 weeks.  Once you have been cleared to volunteer, HISD will reprocess your information each summer!

CARNIVAL! 2009 BRIARGROVE “Roadrunner Roundup”:   Howdy partners!  We are getting excited about the BG Roadrunner Roundup Carnival!  Mark your calendars for October 24th from 11am-3pm.  Here’s what you can do...

• Spread the word by inviting all of your friends, family and neighbors!
• Make sure to sign up to help out in your child’s class booth.  Shift times are short so you can help out and still have plenty of time to enjoy the carnival before and after your shift!
• Dads we need you!  Sign up to help at the Dads Club Haunted House or “Grillin’ with the Dads”.
• CARNIVAL T-SHIRTS are coming so make sure you aren’t left out!  Place your order now online.
• Complimentary BUMPER STICKERS are coming your way soon to promote our event throughout the area.
• Fill out your sponsorship (underwriting) forms that came home in your child’s Wednesday folder.
• BAKE SALE!  We need your tasty treats for the BG Carnival Bake Sale.  They don’t need to be fancy, just yummy!  Bring your goodies to the cafeteria on Friday, October 23rd between 9am-12:45pm or the day of the carnival before 10am.   Questions? Contact bake sale co-chairs, Courtenay Nichols (courtenaynichols@hotmail.com) or Stephanie Walden (stephaniecolvard@hotmail.com).
• CAKE DECORATING!  Come decorate cakes for the carnival Cake Walk in the cafeteria on Friday, October 23rd anytime after 7:45am.  We’ll be there until the icing is gone and appreciate your help!  Questions?  Contact cakewalk co-chairs Caroline Hildreth (carolinehildreth@comcast.net) or Laura Talbert (lwtalbert@gmail.com).

DADS CLUB PUMPKIN SALE!  Saturday, October 10th, 10:00 a.m. in the front circle drive of the school. Support the Dads Club by purchasing a precious pumpkin painted by dedicated and talented Briargrove moms and dads.  These pumpkins are too cute to miss!  Come join the moms at the Briargrove Pool (2600 Briargrove Drive) next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, October 6-8th, 9-2p.m. and the dads on Thursday night, the 8th at 7:45p.m. to paint pumpkins!  For more information, contact Bart Jones, Dads Club President (bjones@1cleanplane.com).

DIRECTORY:  Directories will be ready early November for distribution!  Go online and purchase yours today for $10.

DYSLEXIA PARENT MEETING:  An information meeting will be held in the Briargrove Library on Thursday, October 15th at 7:00 p.m. for all interested parents.  Ami Johnson, Literary Coach, will be going over the signs of Dyslexia and what we offer at Briargrove.

GRADY NEWS!  Mark your calendar for Grady Homecoming, Tuesday October 6th, 5:00p.m.  Grady will play Jackson Middle School at Dyer Stadium (2020 Magnum Rd. 77092).  California Pizza Kitchen is helping us cheer on the Grady Gators by hosting Grady Day.  Plan on having dinner after the game or send friends to have lunch.  Grady will receive 20% of the proceeds for all dining.  You must have a certificate to participate.  Email Mary Lynn Khater at mckhater@swbell.net to get your certificate.Check out the Grady website for more on Gator Football and Volleyball games!  www.houstonisd.org/GradyMS

GRADY REBUILD:  It’s official!  Grady Middle School will be rebuilt in a two phase program.  The site planning phase is almost complete and the architects will begin the detailed planning of the specific structure.

LIBRARY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:  It is a great way to stay involved!  Please contact: Bailey Kinney at baileykinney2@earthlink.net, 832-798-9626 or Marcy Crapitto at Marcyc@sbcglobal.net, 713-783-2008. 

PARKING:  Houston Fire Marshalls had the fire lane curbs repainted and the signs replaced in the front drive of the school.  Please be aware as they will begin ticketing vehicles parked in these zones.   Also, the parking spaces in the back of the school are for teachers and staff only.   Please park in the spaces along San Felipe or in the front circle drive if you are coming into the school for any reason. Thank you for your cooperation!

PATRIOT DAY IS COMING!  The fifth graders will soon begin their study of Colonial America culminating in a Patriot’s Day Celebration on Thursday, November 5th.  All of the students will dress in period costumes.  They will spend the day at school experiencing activities from the colonial times.  The highlight is an evening event also replicating the period.  They should begin planning their costumes now.  Mrs. Klusener will be sending more information home soon.  We will need some parents to dress in costume and help that day at school as well as the evening event.  Please email Janet Taylor at tntjbt@sbcglobal.net if you can help.

READING ROCKS AND ROADRUNNERS READ!  Hooray for our 130 Summer Readers who enjoyed Donuts and the Reading Rocks "Band" in the Briargrove Library Tuesday morning, 9/25.  Together, those who turned in reading lists, read almost 2,000 books!  100 students read at least 10 books while 7 students read between 50 and 80 books!  One young man read 3,859 pages!  Some students participated in and reaped the rewards of 3-4 reading programs.  Congratulations to all of our Summer Readers especially Lauren Haley, 1st grade, who read the most books at 80 and Thomas Jackson, 1st grade, who won the drawing for 4 Dynamo soccer tickets to this weekend's game!

STUDENT PICTURES!  Fall Individual pictures will be held on Tuesday, October 6h (Grades K, 1 & 2) and Wednesday, October 7th (Grades 3, 4 & 5).

TRAFFIC AND SAFETY:  In order to improve traffic flow, cars will only be able to turn LEFT onto Briar Ridge when exiting from the back carpool line.  Please pay attention and be ready to follow directions from the police officer and crossing guards stationed at the carpool exit. 

YEARBOOK PICTURES NEEDED!  Briargrove Trailblazer Yearbook is underway.  Calling all photographers to submit photos of your wee one!  Label, zip and email your favorite ones to Cynthia@championhousing.com  or drop off a CD to the Yearbook box in the front office.  Shoot often and send them in!

CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN FUNDRAISER!  Join us all day October 12th at California Pizza Kitchen on Post Oak.  Bring in the flyer found on the website or distributed in your child's Wednesday folder and CPK will donate 20% of your tab to the Briargrove PTO.  This offer is good for dine-in and take-out orders.  Anyone can participate--you just need the flyer.  For additional flyers, please contact Susan McConn at susanmcconn@comcast.net.  See you there!