YEARBOOK COMMITTEE: Parents & Committee Chairs, don’t forgot to upload your pictures for the Yearbook!
• Go to: https://images.memoryebooks.com/login
• If it does not automatically log you into the site, enter username: 402723591

REFLECTIONS COMMITTEE: This year’s Reflection theme is: Let Your Imagination Fly!
To participate there are a few easy steps…
1. Turn in your student interest form into the office.
2. The rules and entry form will then be sent to you.
3. Create using dance, music, writing, film, photography and/or visual arts!
4. Turn in your project by October 23rd!
5. Let your creativity be recognized and acknowledged!
For more information contact: Claudine Mele (cmmele@gmail.com)

Please support Ivy Hill’s chance to earn a $2500 grant from the ABC/25 Foundation!  We need 25% of Ivy Hill families to join the ABC/25 Foundation in order to receive the Membership Incentive Grant.  One family membership counts towards all district schools that children in one family attend.   Join ABC/25 today with a $40 donation.  Go to abc25.org and click on Membership! or pick up a paper membership form in the school office.

NEXT PTA MEETING: Oct. 7th @ 7:00

NEXT SCHOOL BOARD MEETING: OCT. 15th 7:00 at Thomas Middle School

Don’t forget to Ivy Hill Elementary PTA on Facebook!

BOX TOPS/LABELS COMMITTEE: Don’t forget to write your child’s name and the teacher’s name on your baggies when turning in Box Tops/Labels for raffle entries. If you have recently forgotten to include the names, please contact ivyhillboxtops@gmail.com

DIRECTORY COMMITTEE: The directory is being finalized now. If you’ve changed your phone number or e-mail since you registered for school and you would like the updated information reflected in the directory this year, please send any changes to Jessica Palano (jessicapalano@yahoo.com) by Friday, September 25^th.
– You MUST be a member of the Ivy Hill PTA to access the directory.
– If you are NOT a PTA member and would like to join please email the Membership Committee Judy Newman  (judy.ivyhillmom@gmail.com) or Colleen Wytmar (cawytmar@gmail.com)

REFLECTIONS COMMITTEE: This year’s Reflection theme is: Let Your Imagination Fly!
To participate there are a few easy steps…
1. Turn in your student interest form into the office.
2. The rules and entry form will then be sent to you.
3. Create using dance, music, writing, film, photography and/or visual arts!
4. Turn in your project by October 23rd!
5. Let your creativity be recognized and acknowledged!
For more information contact: Claudine Mele (cmmele@gmail.com)

LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER (LMC) COMMITTEE: Is still in need of volunteers. You can sign up to work during your child’s time in the LMC. For more information or to volunteer, contact Rekha Muruvinakombe (resrini@yahoo.com)

Please support Ivy Hill’s chance to earn a $2500 grant from the ABC/25 Foundation!  We need 25% of Ivy Hill families to join the ABC/25 Foundation in order to receive the Membership Incentive Grant.  One family membership counts towards all district schools that children in one family attend.   Join ABC/25 today with a $40 donation.  Go to abc25.org and click on Membership! or pick up a paper membership form in the school office.

I FIVES go to:
Juvenile Protection Committee: Stephanie Horvath and Kathy Thompson for organizing and manning the Fire Safety Trailer for the students in grades K, 2, & 4.

The Room Rep Committee: Rekha Muruvinakombe, Melissa Sherman, Linda Boehm and Kelly Nix
for organizing the Room Rep Tea and to all parents who have volunteered to be a Room Rep!

NEXT PTA MEETING: Oct. 7th @ 7:00

NEXT SCHOOL BOARD MEETING: OCT. 15th 7:00 at Thomas Middle School

Don’t forget to Ivy Hill Elementary PTA on Facebook!

Did you know that when you participate in a PTA fundraiser or make a tax-deductible donation to our Ivy Hill PTA, the money directly benefits all of the kids at Ivy Hill?  The PTA uses the money to pay for many of the educational and fun activities that take place throughout the school year.  So far, after only two and a half weeks of school, the Ivy Hill PTA has sponsored the Kindergarten Welcome Picnic, Ice Cream Social, Salsa Tasting our first PTA meeting of the year and Running Club, as well as donated much-needed items to our teachers’ classrooms. That’s just the tip of the iceberg, there is much more to come throughout the year!!

Our PTA fall fundraiser this year is going to be SWEET! On September 14th we will kick off our two week fall fundraiser selling candies, chocolates, cookie dough and more through the company Century Resources. Place orders with neighbors & friends nearby, or you can order online! Why not put the school fundraising link on your FB page for out of town family & friends to make it easier for them to order online? Anyone who orders online will have their order delivered directly to them. All orders placed via the order forms will be delivered to school in mid October. Check backpack mail on Monday for the envelope with all of the details! The money we raise through this fundraiser will pay for many fun activities for all of the students at our school! Questions? Contact Suzanne Krause at svkrause@hotmail.com

GARDEN COMMITTEE: Thank you to everyone who helped with the deliciously successful salsa tasting/Fiesta Friday!  A special thank you to Vice Principal Natalie Jiminez, Coletta Hines-Newell, Director of Food Services, Adam Harris, District 25 Communication Coordinator, Tim Higgins, member of the District 25 Technical Department and all the volunteers who made this special event possible.

PTA MEETING: Thank you to all the parents and Committee Chairs who attended our first PTA General Meeting of the year. We were glad to meet some new members and look forward to working with you all of you throughout the year! The Next meeting will be held on Wednesday Oct. 7th @ 7:00.

YEARBOOK COMMITTEE: Parents & Committee Chairs, don’t forgot to upload your pictures for the Yearbook!
• Go to: https://images.memoryebooks.com/login
• If it does not automatically log you into the site, enter username: 402723591

Please support Ivy Hill’s chance to earn a $2500 grant from the ABC/25 Foundation!  We need 25% of Ivy Hill families to join the ABC/25 Foundation in order to receive the Membership Incentive Grant.  One family membership counts towards all district schools that children in one family attend.   Join ABC/25 today with a $40 donation.  Go to abc25.org and click on Membership! or pick up a paper membership form in the school office.

I FIVES go to:
The Garden Committee: Michelle Derochowski & Lisa Nason and their “Salsa Tasting” volunteers Deepika Bhakti, Christen Lipani, Sherry Geer, Teodora Huertas, Jennifer Sadowski, Becky Brown, Rachna Kakrania and, Joelle Vena.

The Hospitality Committee: Caroleen Guiwargis, Kelly Nix, Denise Schreiner, Tammi Grippo, Melissa Sherman for setting up for the PTA Meeting and putting out the desserts.

Next PTA Meeting: October. 7^th @ 7:00

Board of Education Meeting: Sept. 17^th @ Thomas @ 7:30

PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE FIRST PTA MEETING Tuesday, September 8, 7:00 p.m. in the Ivy Hill commons. All are welcome!  New this year:  Dessert will be provided for all parents and all will be able to enter a drawing to win Ivy Hill spirit wear.  Come and learn about our different committees and what they do. You will also have an opportunity, if you haven’t already, to sign up to help with our many PTA-sponsored events. Childcare is available upon request by contacting Jennifer Sadowski at ivyhill.jsadowski@gmail.com by September 7 at 12:00 p.m.

Don’t forget to Ivy Hill Elementary PTA on Facebook!

Welcome to the IVY Hill PTA Website for the 2015-2016 school year! On this site you will find the weekly PTA Happenings (posted on Fridays) and any other PTA updates that come along throughout the week.

The first PTA Happenings will be posted on Sept. 4, 2015. The Boxtops/Label committee and The Garden Committee havesome info they would like to share prior to the 4th. Please see below:

Bring your Boxtops/Labels collection to school by Friday, Sep 4th to earn double raffle entries for our big Fall deadline. Check out our announcements on the prizes soon…!!
More details about the participating products visit
http://www.boxtops4education.com/-/media/Files/BoxTops/Site%20Documents/product_list.pdf
http://www.labelsforeducation.com/Earn-Points/Participating-Products
Shoparoo
Introducing a new way to make more money for our school using your smartphone!!
Shop anywhere, buy anything. Then just snap a picture of your receipt to earn money for our school!! Download the FREE app available on Apple Store or Google Play and support Ivy Hill. Use code “yect2217” to earn bonus points!
For more details visit https://drive.google.com/file/d/0By4cZbAwUskvWVE3V1RzRmRIbjg/view

GARDEN COMMITTEE: It’s time to harvest our Ivy Hill garden and enjoy a tasting of all the wonderful vegetables you planted in the spring with a “salsa tasting!” All students are invited to join us for a sampling of chips & salsa made from your Ivy Hill garden this Friday, September 4^th during lunch.  A notice about the “salsa tasting” including the ingredients will be going home with all Ivy Hill students on Tuesday.

YEARBOOKS: Will be sent home on Friday! The students should bring them back on Monday to have them signed by friends and staff.  Not sure if you ordered a Yearbook? If you paid by check, your cancelled check will serve as your receipt. If you paid online through Memory Book you would have received a confirmation email from the company. If you paid cash you would have received a receipt from the Yearbook Committee. If you do not have one of these three receipts you did not purchase a Yearbook. Proof of purchase will be required if you believe you purchased a book and one was not received.  There will be a limited number for sale in the office….first come first served. You must pay $15 cash or check (made out to Ivy Hill PTA) to receive the book.  Questions? Contact Luanne Eisenhardt Lbeisenhardt@yahoo.com

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES: Our committee heads are looking for help with the following events for 2015-2016 :

School Board Representative Rich Olejniczak and Thomas Middle School Liaison Kris Adams for keeping the PTA informed throughout the year!

Social Media (combined committees) Emily Morrison, Liz Dombbroski for keeping the PTA informed through Ivyhillpta.org and Facebook!

Birthday Book Committee Colleen Wytmar and Lynnette Nimmo for their help with this great program!

Calendar Committee Cassy Mrowicki for putting together the PTA Calendar!

PTA Treasurer Debbie Gagliano and Secretary Judy Newman for all their hard work through out the year!

PTA Vice President Luanne Eisenhardt for putting out the PTA Happenings each week in backpack mail and on Ivyhillpta.org!

Have a safe and happy summer!

Click HERE to visit Mr. Kaese’s Blog!

GARDEN CLUB: Thank you to all the students and teachers for participating in our Gardening Day at Ivy Hill on Thursday, May 21^st.   Because of all your hard work Ivy Hill now has garden plots of tomatoes, three different types of peppers, onions, garlic and cilantro!  Look for our school “Garden Tasting” in the fall.  Scroll to previous post  for some of the great photos of the students gardening.  A special thank you to Vice Principal Natalie Jiminez for all her help.

ATTENTION 5Th GRADE FAMILIES: you can find the flyer here and order form here for the Thomas Middle School Summer Reading Program. Forms and money need to be returned by Monday, June 1.

ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE: Recycle all your old used markers and turn them into energy – clean fuel!  Drop off old markers including dry erase and highlighters in the recycle box located in the Commons area June 1^st – 8th . The flyer  with more details about the Marker/Colorcycle program can be found here.

ABC/25 FOUNDATION Membership Drive Begins Now! Please support Ivy Hill‘s  chance to earn a $2,500 grant from the ABC/25 Foundation – the fundraising partner of School District 25!  All you have to do is join ABC/25 with a $40 donation when you register your child online for the 2015-16 school year.  We only need 25% of Ivy Hill ‘s families to join ABC/25 in order to receive the grant money.  If you have children at more than one school in the district, your membership will count toward both schools’ membership tallies.ABC/25 Foundation –  Join the Board and IMPACT the District 25 learning environment!   ABC/25 Foundation is a volunteer organization that since its inception has raised and contributed more than $1 million in teacher and school grants for District 25. The Foundation strives to foster innovation, creativity and excellence for all students of District 25. We have the following open positions on the Board of Directors and the Just Move it! Challenge Team:
ABC/25 Director at Large
JMI Race Co-Director
JMI Registration Coordinator
JMI Volunteer Coordinator
JMI Marketing/Social Media

For more information click here or contact Doris Downing or Laura Ryerson at abc25president@gmail.com

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: This school year is coming to an end, but we need volunteers for all of our PTA events for next year! Please fill out the form to volunteer for the 2015-2016 school year. Committee members will contact you when needed.

REIMBURSEMENTS: Deadline for this year’s submissions is Monday, June 15^th. You will not be eligible for reimbursement after that date. Contact Debbie at Dcgags@comcast.net

I FIVES go to:
School Supply Committee: Jenny Sadowski

Video/Music Productions Committee: Amy Beaton, Darcy Moder, Lynette Nimmo, Lucy Block, Praveena Aradhy, Emily Morrison, Judy Newman, and Soumya Subash

Garden Club: Michelle Derochowski and Lisa Nason

Field Day Committee: Louann Benbow and Sherri Kontos

Does your committee have volunteers you would like to thank? If so, send the names to Ivypacket@gmail.com!

Ivy Hill gets down and dirty on Gardening Day!

On May 21 the PTA Garden Committee helped students and teachers to plant the ingredients for a zesty salsa for all to taste when school begins again in August. As part of this Farm to Table experience, students in each grade planted tomatoes, peppers, garlic, onions, and cilantro. Thanks to the PTA Garden Committee for planning and organizing this valuable (and yummy!) learning experience for our kids!

FIELD DAY:  Field Day is Friday, May 29.  The morning session will be for K(AM), 4 and 5 and will run from approximately 9:00 -12:00.  The afternoon session is for K(PM), 1, 2 and 3 and will run from approximately 12:30 – 3:00 (Please note the new start time for the afternoon session).  The kids will be outside and weather permitting, will be playing lots of games with water, so don’t forget your bathing suits (optional and should be worn under clothes for the girls, during class) and sun screen (the school staff/parent volunteers cannot put this on for the students).  If you are able to volunteer with the activities or supply water balloons, go to http://www.SignUpGenius.com/go/8050F49ACAB2DA13-20151/.  Questions? Contact Sherri Kontos sherri.kontos@pepsico.com or Louann Benbow at benbowunit@gmail.com.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES: There is still time to purchase the school supplies your child will need for the 2015-2016 school year. School supply kits may be purchased on-line through May 26^th by going to http://www.shopttkits.com: account number 1249.  Please be sure to purchase the kit for the grade your child is entering.  Also, please note, the price for the school supply kits is not included in the school registration fee.  Kits are purchased separately.  If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer (847)924-9087.

PTA BY-LAWS: are posted in the case outside of the school and in the PTA box in the office. Changes were made and will be voted on at the first meeting of the next school year. Go to Ivyhillpta.org for more information on the changes and the rationale for the changes. Questions? Contact Luanne Eisenhardt at Lbeisenhardt@yahoo.com

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: This school year is coming to an end, but we need volunteers for all of our PTA events for next year! Please fill out the form to volunteer for the 2015-2016 school year. Committee members will contact you when needed.

REIMBURSEMENTS: Deadline for this year’s submissions is Monday, June 15^th. You will not be eligible for reimbursement after that date. Contact Debbie at Dcgags@comcast.net

I FIVES go to:
The incoming and returning PTA Executive Board members: Louann Benbow, Lucy Block, Luanne Eisenhardt, Nikki Wolverton, Emily Morrison, Suzanne Krause, Debbie Gagliano and Jennifer Sadowski.

Third VP’s: Carla Kim & Lynn Feder for organizing the Dining for Dollars fundraiser at Chipotle. A big thanks to all the families who participated! Together we raised $817 (a 40% increase from last year)!

Market Day Committee: Kelly Nix & Jennifer Sadowski. The Committee would like to thank the Ivy Hill Families of Allaire/Roberts, Nix, Sadowski, Schreiner, and Shalett for all their orders throughout the school year.  All money raised helps to fund the many PTA sponsored events that are offered throughout the year.

ATTENTION 5Th GRADE FAMILIES: you can find a flyer about the Thomas Middle School Summer Reading Program here.

ABC/25 FOUNDATION Membership Drive Begins Now! Please support  Ivy Hill‘s  chance to earn a $2,500 grant from the ABC/25 Foundation – the fundraising partner of School District 25!  All you have to do is join ABC/25 with a $40 donation when you register your child online for the 2015-16 school year.  We only need 25% of Ivy Hill ‘s families to join ABC/25 in order to receive the grant money.  If you have children at more than one school in the district, your membership will count toward both schools’ membership tallies.

FIELD DAY: is Friday, May 29.  The morning session will be for K(AM), 4 and 5 and will run from approximately 9 – 12.  The afternoon session is for K(PM), 1, 2 and 3 and will run from approximately 12:45 – 3:00.  The kids will be outside and weather permitting, will be playing lots of games with water, so don’t forget your bathing suites (optional and should be worn under clothes for the girls, during class) and sun screen (the school staff/parent volunteers cannot put this on for the students).  If you are interested in volunteering to help with the activities or are able to supply some water balloons, please follow this link  www.SignUpGenius.com/go/8050F49ACAB2DA13-20151/.  If you have any questions please contact Sherri Kontos at sherri.kontos@pepsico.com or Louann Benbow at benbowunit@gmail.com.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES: There is still time to purchase the school supplies your child will need for the 2015-2016 school year. School supply kits may be purchased on-line by going to http://www.shopttkits.com: account number 1249.  Please be sure to purchase the kit for the grade your child is entering.  Also, please note, the price for the school supply kits is not included in the school registration fee.  Kits are purchased separately.  If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer (847)924-9087.

PTA BY-LAWS: are posted in the case outside of the school and in the PTA box in the office. Changes were made and will be voted on at the first meeting of the next school year. Click here for more information on the changes and the rationale for the changes. Questions? Contact Luanne Eisenhardt at Lbeisenhardt@yahoo.com

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: This school year is coming to an end, but we need volunteers for all of our PTA events for next year! Please fill out the form to volunteer for the 2015-2016 school year. Committee members will contact you when needed.

REIMBURSEMENTS: Deadline for this year’s submissions is Monday, June 15^th. You will not be eligible for reimbursement after that date. Contact Debbie at Dcgags@comcast.net

It’s time for Dining for Dollars$$!!  We invite you to dine at Chipotle in Arlington Heights (at Northpoint Shopping Center, 338 E. Rand Rd.) this Monday, May 18 from 4-8 pm.  Chipotle will donate 50% of your total bill to Ivy Hill PTA.  This is our ONLY Dining for Dollars event this school year, and the 50% that goes to Ivy Hill is an amazing percentage — so hope you will consider participating!  Click here for the flyer.   Please bring the flyer with you, or show it on your phone, when ordering.  If you forget the flyer, that’s ok, just tell them you are there for the Ivy Hill PTA fundraiser, and we’ll still get the credit!  Don’t forget to tell your family& friends to come support us, too!   Any questions-please contact Carla Kim, cmk17@sbcgobal.net or Lynn Feder, lynnfeder@hotmail.com.

I FIVES go to:
The outgoing PTA Board members: Denise Schreiner, Kara Janus, Dina Oberman, Carla Kim, Lynn Feder & Judy Newman. Thank you for all your years of service (past & future) to the PTA. For those of you leaving Ivy Hill, you will be missed!!