HIGHCREST HIGHLIGHTS

-A PTO NEWSLETTERHIGHCREST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEWSLETTER

Remember to read during the summer!

Last day of School Edition -June 19, 2012

CHECK OUT WHATS INSIDE: Farewell Message Approved PTO Initiatives Summer Book Swap Farewell 6th Grade Parents
Dates to Remember
June June Aug Highcrest Summer Book Swap Beginning June 25, 2012 Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m., Highcrest Lobby August Aug. 20 Aug. 27
Aug. 29

Dream Big Read!

Summer Book Swap at Highcrest
The Highcrest summer book swap begins on Monday, June 25, 2012 and the days to swap are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9-11AM in the school lobby. We ask that children remain in the lobby only, as there will be a lot of work done in other areas of the building throughout the summer. When visiting the book swap children must be accompanied by an adult. The books will be organized primary and intermediate. Please remind your child to take only the number of books they are returning. Please have your child complete the book log that was in their progress report envelope and/or record the names of the books on their pillow cases. They can write the title of the book on the pillow case or simply use a tally mark to keep count. Do what works best for your child, remember the purpose is to keep the enthusiasm going for continued summer reading and building independent reading stamina.

Summer Reading program endsParty at SDMS 6:30 p.m. Welcome Back LuncheonMonday, August 27, 2012, 1:00 p.m.
First Day of School

Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs, is good for him. Maya Angelou

Deadline for submissions to the newsletter is the 15th of each month. Articles can be submitted via e-mail Editors: Lisa Pugliellipuglisa@gmail.com; Leslie Esoian -94randy@att.net; Andrea Zurzolaajzurz@cox.net

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June 2012

A Message from outgoing PTO President

Volunteering can be an exciting, growing, enjoyable experience. It is truly gratifying to serve a cause, practice one's ideals, work with people, solve problems, see benefits, and know one had a hand in them. Harriet Naylor I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the volunteers who contributed to the success of the Highcrest PTO. We strive to support our students, families and staff through various enrichment activities, social activities and school and district wide programs - which would not be possible without our fundraising efforts. I have had the pleasure of serving on the Highcrest PTO board for the past four years. I have met and worked alongside many parents and staff and have learned something from each experience. There is nothing more valuable than a group of dedicated volunteers coming together to further enhance the educational experiences of our children. I have truly enjoyed working with the members of this years PTO board. Terry Santapaola was a wonderful addition to our board as first year president. She demonstrates exceptional professionalism and leadership and she will transition to the second year president role with ease. I would like to welcome Leslie Esoian to the board as the first year president. She has made significant contributions to the Highcrest community and to the town in launching our first district wide Spelling Bee. She and Terry will make a great team moving forward. Nicole Cruz has served as our vice-president for the past two years, and we would like to thank her for her dedication to the Highcrest PTO. Her role on the PTO board included coordinating our committees, setting the meeting agenda and reporting on committees. Additionally, she has organized socials and fundraisers for many years that have enhanced the experiences of all of our students. Stepping into the vicepresident role is Laura Pepler. She will be instrumental in continuing to encourage volunteers for our diverse programs and she will bring new and creative ideas to the board. The Highcrest PTO is truly fortunate to have three additional returning board members next year. Lucine Milluzzo is returning as our treasurer and has done an excellent job ensuring our records are accurate, our filings timely and keeping up with all of our reimbursements and deposits. Our financial reports are up to date and reflect the diversity of our fundraising efforts and our programs. We are thankful for all of the hours that Lucine dedicates to the PTO. Diana Collins and Maureen Lawrence will be returning as co-secretaries to next years board. They joined the board last year and have kept us up to date with meeting minutes and correspondence. They play a crucial role in communicating information from our PTO meetings to our membership and to the school community. I would like to thank each one of you for volunteering your time and talents on the Highcrest PTO board for the year 2012-2013. Highcrest School and its programs are enhanced by the efforts of all of our volunteers. Thanks to all! Have a wonderful summer! -Kathy Kanya, PTO President 2nd Year

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Look Whos Retiring: Mrs. Nancy Hoey, Speech and Language Pathologist. Thank you for all you have done for the students of Wethersfield. We wish her a fond farewell and all the best in her 2012-2013 Wethersfield Schools Calendar go to http://www.wethersfield.k12.ct.us/page.cfm?p=2248 LOST AND FOUND: We have quite a few items in the Lost and Found Box in the lobby. Please check it before leaving school for the summer on June 19th to claim anything that belongs to your children. Thereafter, all items will be donated to Goodwill. Highcrest Progress Reports Enclosed with progress reports on the last day of school will be lots of information for parents to read such as details about the summer book swap at Highcrest, and other important information to keep in mind during the summer months.

Wethersfield Library Summer Reading Program: PLEASE SIGN UP FOR SUMMER READING! The summer reading program is in full swing and ends with a celebration on the following date and time: Monday, August 20, 2012. 6:30 pm. Silas Deane Middle School There is a surprise by Mrs. Harvey that you wont want to miss! All students and parents are invited to attend.

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Farewell "6th Graders "Stepping Up" to Middle School

This past school year has been filled with many of your successes and accomplishments. You always cared about your fellow classmates and worked to make Highcrest School a great place to attend school. We will look back fondly at our time together. It has been a pleasure. Best of luck always. -Mrs. Winiarski, Mr. Pelly, Mr. Boothroyd Mr. Boothroyd Matthew A Elena A Matthew B John C Michael C Christopher D Aporupa D Katianna D Stephanie D Raymond D Alexandra D Jacob D Danielle E Omar F Enrico G Caroline K Valerie M Jessica P Sara P Taylor S Ryan S Alex T Victoria T Rachel W Karolina W Mr. Pelly Lance A Lauren B Liam C Isabella C Julianna F Christina F Anthony F Victoria G Joshua G Alexis K Alex K Christiano L Samuel L Timothy M Katia M Ashmin M Braydon M Ryan M Peter P Karen R Kylee R Kaitlyn S Abigail S Mason T Mrs. Winiarski Grant A Christian B Jessica D Julia F Blake F Michael G Briana G Nicole H Malon J Justin K Joseph L Juliana M Malena M Patrick M James O William O Andrew P Mira P Luke S Rachel S Cassandra S Will S Addison T Victoria W Olivia Z

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June 2012

2012 Spring Fair Raffle Winners The winners of the big prizes donated by the PTO were IPOD Touch: The Amoddio Family Razor Rider: The Cruz Family For a full list of all the raffle prize winners, go to our website:

www.highcrestpto/committees/fundraisers/springfair

PTO EMAIL NOTIFICATION REMINDER:

In order to receive any notices from the PTO beginning in September, you must register to receive e-mails from Highcrest School PTO. Also, If you will not be a Highcrest family next year and wish to be removed from this PTO e-mail distribution list, please go to the link below and complete the form. All returning families will continue to receive e-mails during the next school year, no action is required on your part. To register email and/or to remove email:

http://www.highcrestpto.com/digital-back-pack.html
Questions? Contact Lisa Puglielli at puglisa@gmail.com

ATTENTION INCOMING 6th GRADE PARENTS:

The 6th grade committee needs you! 6th graders are the recipients of many special events during their last year at Highcrestsocials, field trips, yearbooks and much more. All of these events require parent volunteers. Whether you can offer one hour or chair an entire event, we would love to hear from you! Over the summer we will be in e-mail contact with you for your ideas/suggestions/comments as we plan events for the year. In September we will present the activities for the year and ask for volunteers to chair or work on them. Interested. Please go to www.highcrestpto.com/6thgradecommittee

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APPROVED PTO INITIATIVES

Its happened again, another school year has come to a close! The Highcrest PTO would like to thank all of the parents, staff, teachers, and students who helped make this such a successful year. The PTO was able to provide the students with some wonderful activities and enrichment programs such as Fall Festival, Bingo, Spelling Bee, 2nd grade Science and Engineering Night, Heidi Stemple (visiting author), Hip Hop dance workshop, Highcrest Olympics and much more. As a result of everyones hard work and generosity, the PTO projected that there would be funds available at the end of the year to help purchase various items and fund programs that would benefit the Highcrest community. Members of the PTO attending the June 13, 2012 meeting voted to fund the following initiatives submitted by members of the Highcrest community: Bean Bag Chairs Large Outdoor Deck Box with Lock for recess equipment Bulldog Mascot Costume PTO Volunteer Rewards Program Physically Active Classroom Supplies Hanging Microphones Podium Repairs and Plaque Rugs for Classrooms Upgrades to the Front Entrance of Highcrest Rug for the Music Room Entrance Rug

Thank you to all who have helped make this year a success and we look forward to next school year!!

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June 2012

Thank you to all the outgoing SIXTH GRADE PARENTS for all their volunteerism, support, and dedication to the Highcrest PTO. We could not have done it without you! A special shout out to those parents below that made a permanent imprint at Highcrest Elementary School through their commitment of many, many hours of time to make all of the events at Highcrest enjoyable.

Mary Fulton Creative Arts Council Representative, Enrichment

Chairperson, Room parent, and past member of WSPC.

Kathy Kanya, for her role as PTO Vice President, PTO President,
Chairing the Spring Fair, Holiday shop, a member of Wethersfield Schools Parent Council (WSPC),

Cathy Mandile for making the Parent-Teacher Basketball Game one

of the favorite events for the Highcrest students and parents.

Sherry McGuane for Chairperson of the Fall Festival for several

years, Spring Fair, Holiday Shop, PTO Secretary and always lending a helping hand.

Audrey Saharek for her role as past PTO President, Board Member,
Chairperson of the Fall Festival, Clothing Drive, other contributions. Chairperson on Playscape Initiative, and for founding Highcrest Idol as well many

Bob Peters, for his role in founding the Bulldads. Plus, helping with
the Fall Festival, Spring Fair, and allowing us the use of the Wethersfield Country Club for the past two years of final PTO meetings.

Ann Tucker, our resident videographer and always on hand to help

tape our special events.

TO: All Parents, Teachers and Principals of Webb, Highcrest, Emerson-Williams, Charles Wright and Hanmer students, and members of Wethersfield Schools Parent Council (WSPC). You are invited to the First Annual WES (Wethersfield Elementary Schools) PTO pre-school meeting. This is a great opportunity to get to know each other and share ideas including fundraising plans for 2012-2013 school year. If you havent been involved in your schools PTO, this is a great way to get started. Hope to see you there. WHEN: Thursday, August 23rd WHERE: Pine Acres Swim Club, 169 Western Blvd. (end of Crest Street), Wethersfield TIME: 6:30 p.m. BRING: Yourself (please no children), great ideas for the school year and a little cash for the food bar if you dont have time for dinner. Feel free to bring an appetizer, pick foods, or baked good. More information to follow over the summer. Any questions, please feel free to contact the WES PTO team below.
Barbara Bellas: Webb, Barbara.bellas@sbcglobal.net (860-257-3560) Leslie Esoian: Highcrest, 94randy@att.net (860-563-4855)

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Thank you to the following local businesses that have generously sponsored this newsletter.
Advertise with us! Please contact the following newsletter editors:
Leslie Esoian94randy@att.net Lisa Pugliellipuglisa@gmail.com JoLynn Simonijolynnsimoni@yahoo.com; Andrea Zurzolaajzurz@cox.net

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Advertise with us! Please contact the following newsletter editors:

Leslie Esoian94randy@att.net Lisa Pugliellipuglisa@gmail.com JoLynn Simonijolynnsimoni@yahoo.com Andrea Zurzolaajzurz@cox.net

Advertise with us! Please contact the following newsletter editors:

Leslie Esoian94randy@att.net Lisa Pugliellipuglisa@gmail.com JoLynn Simonijolynnsimoni@yahoo.com Andrea Zurzolaajzurz@cox.net

Advertise with us! Please contact the following newsletter editors:

Leslie Esoian94randy@att.net Lisa Pugliellipuglisa@gmail.com JoLynn Simonijolynnsimoni@yahoo.com Andrea Zurzolaajzurz@cox.net