LUNCHTIME READERS is a program sponsored by the Ivy Hill PTA. Students in 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th grade are eligible to participate. Once a week, for 6 weeks, parent volunteers lead a book discussion group during the ½-hour lunchtime recess period. The groups are formed based on the students’ book choices. The program will begin the week of January 12, 2015 and conclude the week of February 16, 2015. You should have already received the information and permission slip via backpack mail. The permission slips need to be turned in by Dec. 19^th.  For the books to choose from click 3rd grade reading list and 4th/5th grade reading list. *Please note that Because of Winn Dixie was inadvertently left off the registration Form as was Mr. Lemoncello’s Library on the 4th grade form.  If your child wants to read either, please write it in or contact Shanin Trivanovic sjtrivanovic@gmail.com or (630)453-8292.

Parents we need your help! PLEASE consider volunteering to be a group leader. To do so, fill out the leader sign up section at the bottom of the registration form. It is only a half hour time commitment, one day a week, for 6 weeks. Questions? Contact Shanin Trivanovic sjtrivanovic@gmail.com or (630)453-8292.

The ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS COMMITTEE will be holding two drives in December/early January.  One is our annual recycling of holiday lights drive.  So if you have any old and/or non-working holiday lights, please drop them off in the designated boxes in the Commons area starting December 1^st. Secondly, we are having a used board games collection.  We are requesting any gently used board games with all pieces included. These board games will be given to our teachers that are in need of some new board games, especially for indoor recess.  Please leave these donations in the marked box in the Commons area, too.  Both drives will be taking place December 1^st –January 9th. If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Derochowski (michelledycus@gmail.com) or Angela Zulaski  (Ajz95331@yahoo.com

BOX TOPS: Lots of holiday cooking usually means wonderful treats and lots of Box Tops! If you have collected a few Box Tops, turn them in for our December raffle! On Dec. 17th one lucky winner will get a pottery painting package! The package includes – 2 pieces to paint and free paint on your own pottery, studio fees for up to 16 people to create.  To be used for a drop in creation or reserved party.  Turn in those Tops for a chance to win this fun prize!  Good Luck!

Attention All High School Seniors:  The Arlington Heights Council of PTAs Scholarship Application is now available in the College Counseling Office at Buffalo Grove, Hersey, Rolling Meadows, Prospect and St. Viator high schools.  It is also available on the School District 25 website at sd25.org. The scholarship is open to all graduating Seniors who attended any District 25 schools for at least three years.  Applications are due February 28, 2015.

I FIVES go to:
The Holiday Gift Shop Committee: Emily Morrison and Kelly Nix for their hard work organizing the merchandise, crafters, snacks and volunteers for the Holiday Gift Shop last week.
A huge thank you to all of the people who helped to make the holiday gift shop a success!  It took 35 volunteers to set up the gym, work the registers, wrap gifts, sell refreshments and assist our shoppers!  That isn’t even counting the generous wrapping paper donations, which made a huge difference!  Many Ivy faculty and staff members were critical to the success of the event. Mr Kaese, Mrs. Jimenez, Mrs. Crowley, Mr. Hengels, Mrs. Fajks, Mrs. Polito and Ms. Craig generously offered their time and resources to the cause!  No doubt, this event would be impossible without lots and lots of help. Thank you so much!  From the Holiday Gift Shop
And thank you to all the Ivy Hill families who came out and took part in this great tradition and purchased items for their friends and family!

PTA Third Co-Vice Presidents: Carla Kim and Lynn Feder for organizing the Manna Gift Card Sale.  And all the Ivy Hill families and staff who participated and ordered gift cards.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Enjoy your winter break Dec. 20^th – Jan. 4^th. Classes resume January 5, 2015

Click HERE to visit Mr. Kaese’s Blog!

Holiday Gift Shop was a Huge Success!

Thanks to all who made time on Saturday to stop by the PTA’s 2014 Holiday Gift Shop! Shoppers enjoyed purchasing items sold by our kid and adult vendors as well as those sold by the PTA in the gym. Free gift wrapping saved time for all our shoppers and everyone enjoyed socializing over a cup of hot cocoa and a donut!

Special thanks to all the volunteers who made this year’s Holiday Gift Shop amazing!

HOLIDAY GIFT SHOP is this Saturday, December 6th from 9:00-11:30 families are invited to visit the school and purchase fabulous low-cost items. We are also welcoming crafters and vendors who will offer something unique for everyone.   Children can find gifts for everyone in the family and leave with them gift wrapped. Donuts and Coffee can be purchased and hot cocoa is always complimentary. Be sure not to miss this very special IH tradition. If you are interested in volunteering for the Holiday Gift Shop, contact Emily Morrison emmorrison@sbcglobal.net or check out our volunteer sign up page at www.signupgenius.com/go/8050F49ACAB22A31-20141  We hope to see you there!

REMINDER: Cash only for Holiday gift shop purchases. Thank You!!

MARKET DAY:  December is here and it’s Holiday Baking time.  Why not make it easier on yourself and buy cookie dough from Market Day?  The more you buy, the more the school earns! AND the more you save!  Buy 2, Save $2.  Buy 3, Save $5.  Lots of other Holiday favorites available.  With a $40 purchase* you get a FREE pound of broccoli florets. Internet orders are due Monday December 8th by 11pm.  Pick up date will be on  Thursday December 11th.

BOX TOPS: Lots of holiday cooking usually means wonderful treats and lots of Box Tops! If you have collected a few Box Tops, turn them in for our December raffle! On Dec. 17th one lucky winner will get a pottery painting package! The package includes – 2 pieces to paint and free paint on your own pottery, studio fees for up to 16 people to create.  To be used for a drop in creation or reserved party.  Turn in those Tops for a chance to win this fun prize!  Good Luck!

Thanks to all who ordered MANNA GIFT CARDS!  If you didn’t get a chance to place your order, you have one more chance! We will be at Holiday Gift Shop TOMORROW collecting final orders.  Stock up on gifts for family, friends, and teachers for easy holiday shopping — while also supporting the PTA.  Here are links to the Letter  and the Order Form .  We will also have hard copies of the forms for you to fill out at Holiday Gift Shop.  All orders are due by the close of Holiday Gift Shop tomorrow.  Any questions, please contact Carla Kim, cmk17@sbcgobal.net or Lynn Feder, lynnfeder@hotmail.com.

The ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS COMMITTEE will be holding two drives in December/early January.  One is our annual recycling of holiday lights drive.  So if you have any old and/or non-working holiday lights, please drop them off in the designated boxes in the Commons area starting December 1^st. Secondly, we are having a used board games collection.  We are requesting any gently used board games with all pieces included. These board games will be given to our teachers that are in need of some new board games, especially for indoor recess.  Please leave these donations in the marked box in the Commons area, too.  Both drives will be taking place December 1^st –January 9th. If you have any questions, please contact Michelle Derochowski (michelledycus@gmail.com) or Angela Zulaski  (Ajz95331@yahoo.com

LUNCHTIME READERS will be starting soon. More information and permission slips will be coming home soon via backpack mail. The permission slips will need to be turned in by Dec. 19^th.   For the books to choose from click 3rd grade reading list and 4th grade reading list.

Click HERE to visit Mr. Kaese’s Blog!

Hat & Mitten Drive for Journeys: The Road Home

Jake Boehm and Richie Mele at JOURNEYS in Arlington Heights

JOURNEYS provides shelter and services to those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless in suburban Cook County. The goals of the Emergency Shelter Program is to provide hospitality, food and overnight shelter to the homeless between October 1 and April 30, seven days a week.  The sites are staffed entirely by volunteers with an average of 75 guests staying at the sites each night.

Pro-Kids Assembly

Recently Ivy Hill students were treated to an assembly by Pro-Kids, thanks to the Cultural Arts committee. Thanks to the committee members for providing this fun and educational program!