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Originally delivered on 12/1/2023 1:41 pm

SUBJECT: The Lion's Roar - Field PTO December Newsletter

December 2023 | Monthly Newsletter

La asociación de padres de Field Elementary prioriza la capacidad de proporcionar nuestra publicación mensual de boletines en español. Para leer este boletín, haga clic en la parte superior de su correo electrónico para verlo en el navegador web y seleccione "español" en el menú  a la derecha de la pagina web. ¿Necesita ayuda para encontrar la traducción, envíenos un correo electrónico a fieldespto.communications@gmail.com? ¡Gracias!

Click the above image to expand and/or download calendar.

Thank you to everyone who has purchased so far! All sales will support Field Elementary’s SPED program❣️

Didn’t pre-order but would like to purchase? There are several available for sale! Stop by Friday 12/1 during pick up (from 2:30-5:30pm) for in person sales outside of the front gate on 17th street. 

You can also purchase next week during Parent Lunch Week in the school courtyard (cash and cards are accepted)! 🌺

Santa is visiting Field Elementary Tuesday, December 19th! 

Please complete the purchase form no later than Friday, December 15th at 8:00 pm.

Click here to complete the purchase form

Volunteers are needed! Sign up here

The Field PTO is extremely appreciative of the generous support of Field Parents, Teachers & Staff! We're excited to bring back our Cart of Cheer again this year! Wednesday, December 20th during drop off near the front gate on 17th. 

Still need to order Holiday cards and gifts? Our Minted code is active and provides you with 20% off orders while giving 15% back to Field PTO! Our unique code is FUNDRAISEFEPTO. ✨💌

SAVE THE DATE: Friday, December 15th for our next Field Elementary Family Movie Night!

Field Movie Nights will welcome the Greater Heights neighborhood to our soccer field and be a fun, outdoor event under the stars with a family favorite movie, popcorn, drinks and cool(er) weather! 

Additionally, Movie Nights will act as community outreach to existing/prospective families, fomenting participation, strengthening our collective bonds and energizing the desire to support our school.

Purchase tickets anytime via Venmo and bypass the line at Movie Night
(link below). Please add " Field Movie Night - First name and Last name" in the notes. Tickets are $1 per ticket.

https://www.venmo.com/u/FieldesPTO

Stay tuned for the volunteer sign up sheet!

End of Semester Performances are coming soon! Every student at Field will participate in this two-day musical performance. Register on this google form to get your visitor pass early and skip the line! https://forms.gle/diZauPbrD3yt9kF3A

For any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Franklin!

Event date: Saturday, January 27, 2024
Event time: 6:00 - 11:00 pm
Event Location: SPJST Lodge 88
1435 Beall St, Houston, TX 77008

The Field annual auction and fundraiser is NEXT MONTH and it is an amazing opportunity to build our Field community while raising funds essential to teacher and student success.

Get your tickets now!
Want to host a fundraising social? Click here for more info!

How much are tickets and what is included?
Each ticket includes food, a welcome drink, commemorative drinkware, entertainment and the chance to bid on our special live auction items! Admission is included when purchasing a table. There will be enough seating / cocktail tables for everyone! Non-reserved tables are first come, first served. 

How do I purchase tickets?
Tickets are on sale now! Purchase your tickets here!

Click below for "Socials 101"

Visit the Auction FAQs page here

Have additional questions? Email us at fieldespto.auction@gmail.com

Pre-K, Kinder, 1st Grade & SPED update

Field’s little future Master Gardeners and our Parent Volunteers have been quite the Busy Bees this semester and are now halfway through our gardening season.  🍃🍁23

This Spring we planted (and tasted) various veggies and herbs, learned about the nutrients in soil and compost, made our own compost, and recently put the shovels to the dirt , building out a new Garden Bed around the Field Marquee Sign!! They shoveled out dirt into piles and pushed a wheelbarrow on the field!  Hard work indeed! 😅57

This Autumn we sowed Bluebonnet seeds under the Field Marquee Sign and in late winter our goal is to recycle our Fall Pumpkins and make our own Pumpkin Patch that we can harvest in April; look for this under the Field Marquee sign in Feb- March, as well as a beautiful blue array of our Texas State flower !🪻58

Anyone and everyone is welcome to Volunteer from 8-12 on Tuesday mornings 🫶🏼. Sign up here to volunteer and join us! 

- Carissa Sullivan, Cowan and Mateo’s Mom 🌱🌻🐝 
Field of Dreamers Garden Club Lead | Pre-K, Kinder, 1st, & SPED
FieldESgardenclub@gmail.com
713-376-1318

Second Grade update

Greetings from the garden! 

Garden club has grown this year and your second grader now enjoys gardening on Wednesday afternoons between 1:40pm – 2:55pm, for 20 minutes. If your child hasn't gardened yet, don't worry!  Our third group attends next week. 

Our second graders are stewards to our two dedicated butterfly gardens on campus, as well as working to beautify the space outside Mrs. Franklin's music rooms, and the space along the walkway to the playground. While this area of campus isn’t seen often by the public, the children see it daily on route to their classes. This week grape vines were planted along the poles, to soften the area and attract wildlife. We will plant wildflower seeds next week (now's the time in Texas!)  and continue tending to the gardens as we enter winter.

We will host a workday just after Christmas to help prep this area for more gardening in 2024. Come along! Stay tuned for day and time. It’ll be a low-key community gathering.

Garden Club is always looking for volunteers.Sign up here to volunteer and join us! If you’d like to be a part of Garden Club but perhaps work full time, or digging in dirt just isn’t your thing, we would still love to have you. Sometimes we need dirt delivered. Sometimes we need the garden watered. Just holler and we will connect you with something that resonates.

Finally, please remember to donate your recyclable textiles – old jeans, shoes, towels, things that aren’t nice enough to resell – to our recycling bin by the pavilion. All the money raised goes toward Garden Club, which supports purchasing supplies to keep gardening and in turn, beautify our campus!

A child said to me the other day - “This is a dream, and I often have nightmares,” as he rolled the grape vine out of its container. Gardening inspires.

Ebony Porter, Yvonne Smith’s mum 🌳🦋🌹
Field of Dreamers Garden Club Lead | 2nd Grade
campfirequilts@gmail.com
713-306-8330

Click here to join the Field of Dreamers Garden Club WhatsApp Group!

We officially celebrated our newly renovated Spark Park at Field Elementary! 🙌🏽💛🛝

We are extremely appreciative of our amazing school and community supporters for making Field Elementary AMAZING! 💙 We couldn’t have done it without the parents and community members who pulled together to make this happen for our school and our neighborhood. 

A very special thanks to our sponsors, donors, volunteers, community members and elected officials that helped us celebrate including: US Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Rashad Cave from TX State Senator John Whitmire’s office, office of TX State Representative Christina Morales, Council Member Abbie Kamin, City of Houston District C, Kathleen Ownby and SPARK Board.

Thank you to Mrs. Franklin and the 5th Grade choir for sharing their talents with us, and to our very own, Patrick Shimek, Campus Improvement Chair for leading this effort!❤️

Check out a recap of the Spark Park Ribbon Cutting Ceremony!

HISD Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS)

VIPS approval is required to volunteer on campus, chaperone on field trips and visit your student(s) for Parent Lunch Week. Click here to begin! 

All volunteers must reapply each school year. Please forward your approval email to Ms. Q at Raisa.Quintero@houstonisd.org

"Handle with Care" - A note from Ms. Franks

If your child is experiencing difficulties at home, I would like to provide some additional support at school. I understand you may not always be able to provide details, and that's OK. If your child is coming to school after a difficult morning, night or weekend, please email me "handle with care." I will make it a priority to check in on them. 

Email:Brandy.Franks@houstonisd.org
Phone: 713-867-5190

Orders will be delivered to your student's homeroom teacher. Please list the student's first and last name as well as their homeroom teacher. 

Historic Field shirt

Available in youth sizes (long sleeve) and adult sizes (short sleeve only)here

Pink Retro Field Elementary shirt

Available in youth and adult sizes here

Color changing water bottle

What's better than a reusable school water bottle? One that changes colors when filled with cold water! This bottle has a custom Field design and holds 24 oz of water. Purchase here

Birthday Marquee Message

Wish your child a Happy Birthday on the Field Marquee! Orders should be placed at least a week before the needed date. Purchase here!

Field Online Store

We hope you'll consider joining a committee, volunteering for school and PTO events and donating to Field! 

Here is how the PTO supported Field students and staff during the 2022-2023 school year thanks to the support of our amazing parents and community! 

REMINDERS
Communication

Class Dojo is the main form of communication used by Field admin and teachers. Stay up to date with the latest from the PTO on social channels, as we help to share information provided by the school. 

Please follow Field Elementary PTO on our social media platforms and check our website often to stay up to date on all things Field! 

School website
PTO Website
PTO Instagram
PTO Facebook

Ideas, Comments or Suggestions?

The Field PTO team is always striving to be the best to support our school and community.

Have a suggestion or idea you'd like to share with Field PTO? Send us a note! We are a community, and every voice is essential. Your comments can be anonymous if you prefer. The suggestions box is located in the front of the school near Ms. Q's office email us at fieldespto.suggestions@gmail.com

Recap of PTO Meetings & Treasurer's Reports

Couldn't make the last PTO Meeting? You can find the meeting minutes here, as well as the Treasurer's Reports. 

Join us Wednesday, January17th for the January General PTO Meeting.

Teacher and Staff Wish Lists & Favorites

Our amazing Teachers and Staff are pouring their hearts and souls into our little ones every. single. day! Let’s help clear their Amazon Classroom Wish Lists and Donors Choose items for these incredible educators!

Want to learn more about a Teacher or Staff Member at Field? Check out their personal favorites!

Want to help even more? SHARE THIS LINK!

We are so proud and appreciative of this incredibly generous community and we know that together we can help make a huge impact this year for our teachers (students and parents)!

HISD 23-24 Academic Calendar

Click here for the 2023-2024 HISD calendar. 

School Lunch Information

Curious what's for lunch, check out School Café. A log in is not needed, and you can view as guest. (Breakfast and lunch are free for all Field students this year!)

Parent Lunch Week

Mark your calendars -- Parents/guardians who have been approved via the HISD VIPS program can now come to lunch with students! One week each month on Wednesday-Friday, parents will be afforded quality time at lunch. External food is allowed! Please plan to arrive 5-10 minutes before the student's lunchtime for check-in with Ms. Q. Please look out for more information from Field administration. 

Note: Starting in December, Parent Lunch Week is moving to Wednesday, Thursday and Friday!

December 6-8

January 10-12

February 7-9

March 6-8

April 3-5

VIPS Approved

Not VIPS certified? Volunteers in Public Schools, VIPS, is an annual background check through HISD for all volunteers who help assist public schools. ALL Field parents/guardians who want to volunteer or attend lunch visits for the 2023-2024 school year must register online


Ready to register? Click Here!

Previous Lion's Roar Newsletters

Access previous PTO newsletters here

Visit the PTO site and update your student(s) classroom teacher. Select the teacher from the drop down under "My Account". 

1. Log in and select "My account" > family info > verify parent info is up to date > select "next step"

2. Under the "active students" section, verify your student(s) have been added and select the homeroom teacher in the drop down.

3. Save 

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

The PTO could not do all of the amazing things it does without the dedicated group of volunteers who are so generous with their time and efforts. Involvement with the PTO is a wonderful way to get to know the school, staff, students, and other parents.  

There are many different ways to get involved. We encourage you to learn more about the events and activities that the PTO sponsors and volunteer where you can.

Please note that all volunteers who will be working with students on campus or on field trips need to be registered through the school district’s Volunteers in Public Schools program, or VIPS. VIPS requires all volunteers to register annually. For more information, click here.

NEW Volunteer opportunities are available! Stay tuned for Movie Night and Auction sign up sheets!
Teacher & Staff Soup Bar - 12/6

It's soup season and it's time to comfort our amazing Teachers and Staff with our annual soup bar! If you'd like to make a crockpot of soup, please sign up below and list the details of your soup in the comment section!  


Click here to sign up!

Front Gate Greeters (Parent Lunch Week) - 12/6 - 12/8


Let's help Ms. Q during Parent Lunch Week! Volunteers are needed to greet visitors and hold the front gate open for family members attending Parent Lunch Week.


Click here to view volunteer slots and to sign up!

Santa Photos - 12/19


Volunteers are needed to assist Santa with photos Tuesday, December 19th. 


Click here to view volunteer slots and to sign up!

Field of Dreamers Garden Club

We are excited to announce we are kicking off our Field of Dreamers Garden Club for our third season!
 
This amazing program, is run by parent volunteers who donate 25 minutes of their time every Tuesday and Wednesday. .
 
 In this small amount of time students connect with the Earth, plant a thing or two, learn where their food comes from, sample fresh herbs or lettuce depending on what's growing, get a little dirty and explore the wonders of nature. So much goes on in those 7 beds at the front - you would be amazed! We also want to bring the students to the Butterfly Garden that was built and funded by grants and parent volunteers last year. The Butterfly Garden is located outside the PE room.
 
If you have 25 minutes to spare, please let us know. You may reach Ebony Porter at campfirequilts@gmail.com . More information can be found here

Sign up here for Pre-K, K, 1st and SPED classes (Tuesdays)

Sign up here
 for 2nd grade classes (Wednesdays)

Leo the Lion

We would love to have Leo visit during our Field Spirit Night and other events for about 30 minutes during peak times if possible. Please sign up if you would like to dresss up as Leo (costume provided by Field PTO). Kids absolutely love it! 


Click here to view volunteer slots and to sign up!

Organized by Field Dads, but open to everyone, we are officially establishing the Field Dad’s Club (FDC) and welcome ALL to join! Visit www.fieldespto.org/dadsclub or email fieldespto.dadsclub@gmail.com for more info!

Note: We welcome dads, uncles, mothers, aunts, grandparents and other guardians with ties to Field Elementary. 💙🐾

LOOKING AHEAD - SAVE THE DATE
Spirit Night @ Crust Pizza - December 4

Join us at Crust Pizza Co (Shepherd location) Monday, December 4th for Spirit Night!  Can’t stay? You can still support Field by ordering yummy takeout! 

Be sure to mention you’re with Field Elementary when placing your dine in or takeout orders and place your receipt in the buckets at the register. 15% of the sales will be donated to Field.  

Parent Lunch Week - December 6, 7, & 8

Parents/guardians who have been approved via the HISD VIPS program can now join their students for lunch! One week each month, parents will be afforded quality time at lunch. External food is allowed! Please plan to arrive 5-10 minutes before the student's lunchtime for check-in with Ms. Q. 

General PTO Meeting - December 13

Join us for the December General PTO meeting on Wednesday, December 13th under the pavilion! (Bring your own chair or blanket) 


Family Movie Night - December 15

SAVE THE DATE: Friday, December 15th for our next Field Elementary Family Movie Night!

Purchase tickets anytime via Venmo and bypass the line at Movie Night (link below). Please add " Field Movie Night - First name and Last name" in the notes. Tickets are $1 per ticket.

https://www.venmo.com/u/FieldesPTO


End of Semester Music Performances - December 19

Pre-K, Kinder, 1st Grade, PALS

Santa Pics - December 19

Santa will be visiting Field Elementary Tuesday, December 19th! 

Please complete the below form no later than Friday, December 15th at 8:00 pm.

Click here to complete the purchase form

End of Semester Music Performances - December 20

2nd - 5th Grade, SLL

Cart of Cheer - December 20

Coffee & Christmas tunes... yes please! Parents, stop by our Cart of Cheer, Wednesday, December 20th during drop off.

No School - December 22 - January 5

Winter break! Students return Monday, January 8th. 

Back to School - January 8

Welcome back Field Lions! 

No School - January 15

HISD is closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr Day

Parent Lunch Week - January 9, 10, & 11

Parents/guardians who have been approved via the HISD VIPS program can now join their students for lunch! One week each month, parents will be afforded quality time at lunch. External food is allowed! Please plan to arrive 5-10 minutes before the student's lunchtime for check-in with Ms. Q. 

General PTO Meeting - January 17

Join us for the January General PTO meeting on Wednesday, January 17th under the pavilion! (Bring your own chair or blanket) 


Silent Auction & Fundraising Socials preview day - January 24

Auction preview opens Wednesday, January 24th at 10am CST. 


Silent Auction & Fundraising Socials are live! - January 25

Silent auction & Fundraising Socials officially open Thursday, January 25th at 10am CST


Masquerade Madness: A Mardi Gras Extravaganza - January 27

Join us for the adults only Silent Auction & Fundraiser - food, dancing, drinks, live music and an all around great time with our Field Community! All funds raised directly support Field Elementary! Get your tickets now!

Can't attend, stay tuned for the link to bid on awesome items and secure your spot to fundraising socials. 



Like to plan in advance? Bookmark this page and check back often for an expanded view of events and programs at Field Elementary! 

FUNDRAISING REMINDERS

Donations are always accepted! All donations directly support Field Elementary and the programs and events our organization offers. No amount is too small - please consider making a donation today!

BOX TOPS MAKES IT EASY! All you need is your phone! Download the Box Tops app, shop as you normally would, then use the app to scan your store receipt within 14 days of purchase. The app will identify Box Tops products on your receipt and automatically credit Field's earnings online. Twice a year, Field will receive a check and can use that cash to support the school!

Once logged into your Kroger account, search for Field Elementary PTO or KX612 and then click Enroll. New users will need to create an account which requires some basic information, a valid email address and a rewards card.

*Customers must have a registered Kroger rewards card account

You save 20%, Field Elementary gets 15% back! 

Enjoy 20% off Minted’s unique stationery, children’s art, holiday cards, and gifts when you shop using our exclusive discount code, and they’ll donate 15% back to us. It’s a win-win!!


Field Elementary's unique promo code: FUNDRAISEFEPTO

Our school is fundraising with Mabel’s Labels! If you’re not familiar with Mabel’s Labels, they are personalized, durable, waterproof labels. They are great for everything from shoes, clothing tags, water bottles and backpacks. You can customize them with your name and a design, and they are dishwasher, laundry and microwave safe.

Mabel’s Labels also offers clothing stamps, silicone bands for water bottles and medical alert labels. This is a great way to ensure your items don’t end up in the lost & found or mixed up . To reduce the spread of germs, we highly recommend labelling but they are also useful for everyday life. 

To support our fundraiser, visit campaigns.mabelslabels.com and select Field Elementary School PTO. You can pick out whatever labels or product you want, and it will ship for free directly to your house! Thank you for supporting us!

We've officially joined Green City Recycler 2023 -2024 school recycling competition! Drop off unwanted clothes, shoes, and household linens at the Green City Recycler pod on E. 18th St. $0.10/lb will go back to our Field of Dreamers Garden Club

Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to make a positive impact on the environment while also supporting the Field Garden club AND winning big for our school! The recycling competition goes through the end of the school year.

Don't forget your company's gift matching program!

Corporate matching gift programs match cash donations made by their employees (parents/guardians/family members) to non-profit organizations. Take advantage of this matching opportunity and your Field Elementary contributions can easily be doubled (or even tripled)! Corporate matching provides a substantial amount of extra donations to help our wonderful school. More information can be found here

Double the Donation is a great site to see if your company has a gift matching program. Check it out here!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Friday, December 1
$1 Dollar Dress Friday $1
Monday, December 4
Poinsettia Sales for SPED
Tuesday, December 5
Poinsettia Sales for SPED
Wednesday, December 6
Poinsettia Sales for SPED
Parent Lunch Week
Thursday, December 7
Poinsettia Sales for SPED
Parent Lunch Week
Friday, December 8
Poinsettia Sales for SPED
Parent Lunch Week
Wednesday, December 13
5:30p PTO MEETING
STAY CONNECTED

Stay connected with the Field ES PTO. Follow us on social media via Facebook and Instagram. 

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