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The Star Tracker

A publication of Stinson Elementary School PTA

Volume X, Issue 5

February 2011

Community Partners 10

Grade Level News 6-7

Junior Investor 3

Treasurers Report 9

Presidents Pen

February 2011

2011 is here! I know Ill be writing 2010 on my checks for some time to come; but it is time to

start thinking ahead. There are many things going on in our PTA, and beyond. Take a few min-

utes to think about where you might want more information or involvement.

The Stinson PTA just formed its Nominating Committee for the 2011/2012 school year. Their

job is to recommend a slate of officers for the March election. Since we have one year terms,

we will be electing a President, VP of Membership, VP of Ways and Means, VP of Programs, VP

of Communication, Secretary, Treasurer, and Treasurers Assistant. Watch for a flyer coming

home soon to ask for nominations.

If an officer position is not for you, there are many chairman and committee positions available

every year. We welcome everyones involvement. If you have questions on where you might

best fit, please let me know, or ask any of our current officers. We have a tradition of excel-

lence to continue at Stinson, and I hope you will be a part of it!

This year the Texas Legislature is in session. As you have probably read, there is a large budget

deficit projected, and budget cuts for education are expected. Our district is already preparing

for these cuts. PTAs role is to be educated on the progress of the legislature, and make our

views as voters and constituents known. The State PTA is hosting the PTA Day at the Capitol;

the PISD council will send a busload of people to participate in this day of meetings with legis-

lators. The State PTA will be monitoring bills that impact the health, welfare, and education of

our children. The Texas PTA President was part of the committee working with Senator

Shapiro to draft legislation outlawing the drug, K2. PTA will be sending out updates on the

relevant legislation, we will have the ability to subscribe to those updates and act where we

see a need.

Please let me know what you would like to see from your PTA. I look forward to a fantastic

2011!

Thank you,

Julie Richard

Stinson PTA President

Shoot for the moon. Even

if you miss, youll land

among the stars.

~Les Brown

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From the Desk

of

Mrs. Salamone

The Star tracker

A Monthly Newsletter of the Stinson Parent Teacher

Association

Principal Barbara Salamone

Assistant Principal Tricia Lancaster

PTA President Julie Richard

Newsletter Editor Jennifer Neves

Stinson Elementary School 4201 Greenfield Drive Richardson, TX 75082

School Office 469-752-3400

School Website k-12.pisd.edu/schools/stinson

Stinson PTA Website www.stinsonpta.org

PISD Website www.pisd.edu

All correspondence should be directed to the PTA Newsletter Editor at the school

address or tracker@stinsontpa.org

HAVE YOU JOINED THE

STINSON PTA?

GO TO

WWW.STINSONPTA.ORG

UNDER ACTIVITIES TO

SIGN UP.

Order your Yearbook now!

Remember to order your year-

book! Price is $25.

Go to

www.stinsonpta.org to sign

up for the Star to Star

eNewsletter

We have some fantastic programs available at Stinson.

Go to www.stinsonpta.org to learn about:

Junior Investor program

After school programs

Watch D.O.G.S.

Stinson Cares

Letter from Mrs. Salamone

will be on a separate page.

Attention: We NEED YOU!

Volunteers are needed to help with the distribution

of Thursday packets.

If you are interested please contact Katherine

Gotcher at workroom@stinsonpta.org

REMINDER

Please check the lost and found for jack-

ets, books, lunchboxes, scarves and

gloves. Thanks!!

5th Grade Legacy Gift This year's 5th grade class will be donating a legacy gift to Stinson commemorating their time

spent here. Suggestion boxes are in the fifth grade hall and the teacher's lounge for use by 5th

graders and teachers. Suggestions will be accepted through the end of February. Once the

suggestions are compiled, the fifth graders will vote on their class' donation. The student or

teacher with the winning suggestion will present the item at the final spirit assembly of

the year in May. The legacy gift will be funded by donated pennies from the fifth graders and

private donations. Please contact Stephanie Chritton at 5thgradegift@stinsonpta.org with any

questions.

ESL News

Kindergartners are learning about animals in our new unit Wild, Wooly, and Wonderful. Ani-

mals can live in the forest, ocean, desert, and more. Some have feathers, others have tusks.

Animals can fly, run, swim, or crawl.

First graders has began a new unit, Everyone Needs a Home. There are many different kinds

of homes all over the world. A home or shelter helps to keep us safe. We all have needs and

wants.

Second graders are studying the water cycle. They are writing a story about a drop of water go-

ing on an adventure through the water cycle. An origami folded whale will help tell their stories.

Third, fourth, and fifth graders continue in-depth learning of vocabulary supporting their weekly

literature.

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Environmental News-Green Valentine's Day?

There are several things that can be done to lessen our negative impact on the environment when celebrating Valen-

tine's Day this year.

Consider sending an e-card as Valentine's Day is the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. You can also send

cards made from recycled or tree-free paper. This information will be indicated on the card and envelope. Buy Valentine's Day

cards from local artists who make cards from recycled material, or, better yet, make your own Valentine's Day cards with recycled

materials and items from nature.

Use red or pink fabric or recycled wrapping paper to wrap gifts.

Make dinner reservations at a neighborhood restaurant specializing in locally-grown food as it will reduce your travel

miles and your food's travel miles.

An environmentally-friendly alternative to cut flowers that are shipped into our area from elsewhere would be to buy cut

flowers grown locally, either by visiting a nursery directly or a farmer's market. Giving a live plant which can be enjoyed for years

to come is even better!

From the desk of the librarian:

Congratulations to Melody Zhang, Kindergarten-

McFarland. Melody is a winner in Plano Public Library Systems

Bookmark Contest!

Entries in the bookmark contest were submitted in

September and October for Get a Library Card months.

Melodys bookmark was selected as second place in

the Kindergarten through grade 2 category from over 1000 en-

tries.

Friends of the Plano Public Library will print bookmarks

featuring the winning artwork and make enough bookmarks for

every child in the school district.

We cant wait to see Melodys art on bookmarks. Way

to go, Melody!

Stinson Skate Night

Join us at Thunderbird Skating Rink on

Friday, February 4, from 5-7pm. The cost

is $7 per skater and includes regular

skates-rent inline skates for and extra $3.

You can bring your own inline skates for

free. The regular skate session starts at

7:30. Stinson families are free to stay and

skate for no extra

charge.

The PTA has started an exciting new project and we would like you to participate with us. Its called the Great Family Cook-

book Project and its goal is to help create a cookbook for Stinson Elementary.

The Family Cookbook Project is a website that is designed to help us collect and even publish our favorite recipes so that we can

share and preserve the special food that you families enjoy. The website is easy to use and will take just a little effort to enter

your familys favorite foods for all of us to enjoy. We can use these recipes online or even publish a cookbook that we can share

and treasure. But first, we need your help.

Please collect all of the wonderful recipes that you would like to contribute. We are looking not only for the dishes served on spe-

cial occasions, but also the every day meals you family enjoys.

E-mail our coordinator at cookbook@stinsonpta.org and she will send you a link to enter your own recipes under your name or

family name.

We are trying to have all of the recipes entered as soon as possible as we could have the cookbook ready by April.

Thank you for your help!

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The Stinson School

Store

Open Tuesdays and Thursdays

7:20am-7:40am

Buy fun school items and Spirit Wear

Small bills only please Need to go to the school store before 7:30? Then see Ms.

Gee about getting a pass.

Environmental News-

May the Forest be with You!

You don't have to stand in the middle of the woods to be surrounded by the forest. The

home you live in. The food you eat. The clothes you wear. The books you read. They all

come from the trees growing in Texas.

But the