BRIARGROVE BUZZ          Issue 1                September 2, 2009 

BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION: Start sending in your boxtops you've been collecting all summer.  The first contest will be an ice cream party awarded to the class that brings in the most by September 14th.  Collection bins are in your classroom or drop off at the collection bin in the front office - don't forget to put your name.  You may turn box tops in with a ziploc bag or on a collection sheet.  Check out the boxtop website under http://bgroadrunners.org/box-tops-4-education for more collection sheets, and box top news.  Box top coordinators:  Kathleen Haley 832-252-0200  Pam Miller 713-278-8101

CAMP ROADRUNNER is full!  If you did not receive a letter admitting your child, please make other arrangements on Friday Early Dismissal days.

2009 BRIARGROVE CARNIVAL   “Roadrunner Roundup”:  Mark your calendars and get your horse saddled up to mosey on over to the Briargrove Carnival!  This year, our western-themed Roadrunner Roundup is set for Saturday, October 24^th from 11am -3pm. The Briargrove Carnival is one of the school’s biggest fundraisers and it’s not just for Briargrove students!  Please invite friends, family and neighbors to share in the fun!  There will be a mechanical bull, a “dunk your teachers” booth, an inflatable obstacle course, pony rides, the Dad’s Club Haunted House, a cake walk and yummy bake sale, confetti eggs, invisible ink and much more!  Year after year the BG Carnival has been a huge success due to our parent and teacher involvement. 

Here are some ways you can help this year:

Bumper Stickers – Complimentary bumper stickers are coming your way soon to put on your car & promote our event throughout the area.

Carnival T-Shirts – Order your carnival t-shirts and wear them! T-shirt sales will begin soon. Stay tuned for more details.

Booth Sponsorship – Fill out your sponsorship (underwriting) forms that will be sent home in the Wednesday folders.

Volunteer – Volunteers are needed!!!  Please sign up with your room parent to work your class booth.  Look for the sign-up sheets in your classrooms at Open House.  Grandparents and family friends are welcome, too!

Mark your calendars because the roundup begins now!  Saturday, October 24^th, 11am – 3pm, 6145 San Felipe

Carnival Chairs:  Melinda Prewett (melinda_prewett@comcast.net) and Stacy Coneley (cnsconeley@comcast.net )

JOIN THE DADS CLUB!  Briargrove Dads provide the money and muscle for many activities at our school.  We grill hamburgers and hot dogs during carnival. We create and man a haunted house during carnival. We set up a pumpkin patch with painted pumpkins for sale. We have a golf tournament or clay shoot every spring, and we raffle prizes at carnival every year.  These activities and others allow us to raise money towards projects at the school that otherwise might not get funded.

Important Dates:

First Meeting – 7:00 Wednesday, September 9th, El Patio Party Room on Westheimer, free for all Dads.
We will discuss projects for the Dads and possible fundraising activities along with identifying leaders for certain projects.  A few door prizes will be offered to those in attendance!

Fall Parents Party – 7:00 Thursday, September 24th, Molina’s on Westheimer, $20 a person, $25 at the door
A Fiesta!  With Food, Fun, and limited drink provided.  It’s a great way to meet other parents, catch up with those you haven’t seen all summer, and kick off the fall season. 

For more information, please contact Bart Jones, Dads Club President (bjones@1cleanplane.com)

DIRECTORY: Don't forget to update your Student Information Form online if you have not already done so!   The deadline for information is September 25th.  This form is used to include your child in the Briargrove Student Directory and can be found on online at www.bgroadrunners.org/traffic-and-safety.  There is a link to register your child for a carpool number.  It is the same form we use to collect directory information.  In the “directory” portion of the form, you must click on “yes” to include your information in the directory.

EARLY LANGUAGE LEARNERS:  The Early Language Learners Program offers Spanish classes after school on campus.  Our experienced teachers use the whole language approach and classes are interactive and engaging.  Classes begin Friday, September 11th.  Go to www.earlylanguagelearners.com or call 713-722-0063 for more information. 

GRADY NEWS: G-Camp in August was a success for the incoming 6^th grade students.  Students were able to learn their way around the school, meet their teachers, receive their textbooks, and meet new people.  We will definitely do this again next year. 

Football and Volleyball season will begin the week of September 15^th.  Check out the Grady website for game dates and times.  http://ms.houstonisd.org/GradyMS  There is also a link on the BG website home page.  We hope to see our future Gators at the games!!!

Tuesday September 15^th at 5:00pm Dyer Stadium against Edison MS

Tuesday September 22^nd at 7:00pm Dyer Stadium against Black MS

Wednesday September 30^th at 5:00pm Butler Jr. Stadium against Deady MS

GRADY REBUILD UPDATE:  On September 10th,  we are expecting the HISD Board of Trustees to vote on  the funding for the  facilities package that was approved on August 27,2009.  The package includes Grady Middle School and will release funds to begin rebuilding the campus. Harvin Moore, our District Trustee, David and Edlyn Pursell, Grady PTO presidents 2008-09, Mary Lynn Khater  mckhater@swbell.net, Grady PTO president 2009-2010, and a group of committed volunteers have worked hard to see this through.  Thank you for your efforts.  Everyone's support is greatly appreciated and we still need it.  HISD board meetings are open to the public.  Please plan to attend the meeting Thurs, Sept 10 at 5:00,  4400 W. 18th street to show your support for the package. This is a fluid process and things change from day to day.  If you would like to be emailed with updates regarding this matter please send your email address to Emily Kennedy at ekenned@aol.com

OFFICE VOLUNTEERS:  WANTED:  Briargrove Parents interested in volunteering 2 hours every other week to help in the front office.   This is a great way to meet teachers and parents.   Shifts available: Monday 12:45-3:15; Tuesday 8:15-10:30; Wed 8:15-10:30; Thurs 8:15-10:30.  If interested please contact Mercedes Mulvey (bmmulvey@aol.com) , Mirrat Noon (mirrat@sbcglobal.net) or Allison Brookby (abrookby@yahoo.com).

OPEN HOUSE: In order to get the most of everyone’s time during Open House, this is a parent only event. 

Tuesday, September 15th, 7:00 p.m.  Grades 1, 3, 5

We will meet in the cafeteria at 7pm for a few minutes to hear from our new principal, Debi Russell and our PTO president, Susan McConn.   Parents will then be dismissed to their child’s classroom to meet with the teachers and discuss curriculum, expectations and activities for the school year.  We hope to see you there!

PARENT/TEACHER FOCUS GROUP:  Monday, September 21st, 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. in the library. Parents are encouraged to meet with BG administration in a small setting to discuss school and district initiatives as well as to voice parent views and concerns.

ROOM PARENT ORIENTATION is September 10th at  8:00a.m. in the cafeteria.

SUMMER READING PROGRAM:  It’s time to turn in your summer reading list!  Teachers will collect lists through Friday, September 4^th.  If you have read 5 books, you have helped HISD students read a million books!  You have earned a t-shirt and are invited to a donut party before school on 9/22/09.  If you have read 10, 20, 30 or more books, you have earned an additional prize or prizes!  Also, there is still time to take  your list of 8 books to Barnes and Noble for a summer reading prize through 9/7/09.

Summer Reading Party, September 22nd at  7:30 a.m. Briargrove Cafeteria

TRAFFIC AND SAFETY:  Please affix your carpool number on the upper right corner or visor using the clear sleeve provided with your number.  ***There is a new State law banning hand held cell phone use in school zones that went into effect on September 1st.  Please refrain from using your cell phones while in the carpool line to ensure our children’s safety.

UNIFORM DEPOT: Donated uniforms will be available for free during the two nights of Open House (Tues, Sept 15 and Thurs, Sept 17).  Uniform Depot is a service provided by the PTO whereby students can obtain gently used uniforms at no cost.  Donations of uniforms are welcome anytime during school hours and may be dropped off in the PTO room. 

For more information, please contact Melissa Butler (melissa_s_butler@alumni.utexas.net) or Christi Miles (christimiles@gmail.com)

GIRL SCOUTS:  The Sign Up Rally will be held Tuesday, September 22, 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Brairgrove Cafeteria. For more information, please contact Terri Tyler (Terri@Tyler-family.com) or Jennifer Leach (jleach@jowersleach.com).