Parent lunch and Costume Parade

Dressed up on school playground

What a busy week! It will all be over by Sunday night, after kids fill up their candy buckets.
On Tuesday, Sacc had a parent lunch. I didn't get a chance to attend last year, so this year was a first for me. It was a lot of people, and even more work - I didn't volunteer due to my day job schedule, or I would have experienced that first-hand. The school did a lot of work - I am sure the administration and staff felt deflated and exhausted after such an endeavor, and it must have felt like a tornado ripping through the school.
So, the parents got to spend some time with their darlings. I found the darlings were also experiencing a bit of anxiety because their parents were disrupting the usual routine. I guess you could also call it excitement, :)
After lunch, kids went to the recess and parents followed. The weather surprised with a sunny sky and unusually warm day. The playground was bright, and parents watched, or chatted, or chased a younger child.
When time was up, we proceeded back inside, to help the kids get in their costumes and then some parents had to leave (like me), but some stayed and walked the costumed procession to Longfellow Place. It must have been nice.
Then there was cookie decoration, and end of the day.

Fall is flush with colors.

The school also offered lots of cute large prints of kids at the playground or with the famous giant pumpkins, in exchange for a donation. I felt badly as I didn't bring much money, in fact I was lucky to bring even that much! - and the pictures were adorable. I contributed more at a later date, hope it was acceptable.
Wednesday was the flu shot day! My son has been somewhat (=very) uncomfortable with the whole pricking concept, so we went for the nasal spray. Can't blame him. I opted for a nasal spray myself the other day, and would for any vaccine, if there were only available.

October is done, I guess. Now it's only the Thanksgiving event and then Christmas break that we have to deal with. And big things are afoot.

Book fair and October events

Last week, Saccarappa's library had a book fair. In essence, it's a mini book sale with titles targeted for the younger audience. Some titles were more of a family kind - for older children in the family, if you have them.
We found a good (in my opinion, of course) book, I Need My Monster, and have been reading it every night as a bedtime story. I had some misgivings about really having it as a nighttime story but it seems to be safe.
A lot of books I simply don't care for - they are of little literary value, like those Disney stories, and I guess I am snob like that - I like good books, books with a story rather than commercial success as a cartoon.
Anyway, now another major even is parent lunch - which may be tricky as it appears it will be rainy, and Halloween.
The school is looking good - thanks to lots of efforts by the principal and other helpers (whose names I don't know, sorry about that!), and anyone attending the parent lunch will enjoy the view.
I wonder if anyone is reading this blog. If you do, please leave a comment so I know. I guess I will still be writing, because I enjoy it. I would also like for it to be useful.
I have some ideas about PTA, too. In another post.

Costume Swap: A Better Halloween Experience

Is anyone interested in hosting one? We might not make it on time to join the National Costume Swap Day, but we can still have it!
Check it out and contact your school, church or some other organization for support.
http://www.greenhalloween.org/CostumeSwap/

Saccarappa PTA

Tonight was my first ever PTA meeting! We had great refreshments to celebrate that event :), but most importantly there were lots of valuable ideas.
There turn out to be more functions for the PTA than I had heard before. I am glad it's taking shape, and I would love to contribute to certain work that needs to be done. There seems to be a lot of it too.
Among the subcommittees that have been identified are: fundraiser, of course; events, volunteers, acknowledgment (aka teacher support/appreciation), and something less defined, like community service or outreach.
I feel strongly about educating other parents, (when they ask for help), and healthy kids/green environment stuff. Not sure where that will be.
We have also agreed to follow up soon, in two weeks to further define and delegate the jobs. Please contact me for details if you would like to join. It sounds very promising.

Do something!

Some of us have found themselves in a situation when they - voluntarily or involuntarily - are staying increasingly home, and if you feel like getting involved in community life on your terms, you may find this resource useful:
http://www.dosomething.org/actnow
Do something!

Update on parent involvement meeting

I have just come back from the parent involvement meeting hosted by WSD at Congin School. One thing is sure, the school building is the safest place to be in a severe thunderstorm unless you are sitting next to an open window and lightning interrupts what you are saying.
Anyway, some of the ideas (a more comprehensive list will soon be available through your principal) included starting up Odyssey of the Mind and/or Destination ImagiNation. Both have corresponding websites. Check them out for they may be coming to a school near you.
Please share your ideas and thoughts below.

You pick!

It's the season for everything you pick and pick you can!
First, there have been strawberries - I must confess we haven't made it there yet, but we were diligently on our way this morning - and Maxwell Farm is open for the season, still open in fact, given the early summer we are having, and that's fun. There are also pick your own raspberries opportunities around Portland, such as off Maple Ave in Scarborough. They just opened today for the season. They have tons of raspberries, the weather has been very favorable for them, and the trick is to figure out when they are open. If you see the sign on Maple Ave, they certainly are, but they are not open every day. So, give it a try.
You can also choose to attend a free lunch program for children 18 and under at Canal School, 11:45-12:45. Every Thursday there is a wonderful theater comedy workshop, so stop by.
Don't forget to read - Borders is still giving out a free book to everyone who has read 10 books this summer. Come to think of it, I myself will have to try pretty hard to make it 10 books - this beach weather may be conducing to reading under an umbrella but not so much if you have to keep eyes on your kid. Some things come first, :).