Multicultural Night will be on February 16 from 6:00-8:00 PM. It is an opportunity for SJLES families to celebrate and share their heritage with the community and for everyone to learn about the rich diversity at our school. Families can sign up here to represent different cultures from around the world by sharing samples of food, creating a table display, or participating in a fashion show or performance.  Everyone comes from somewhere – you don’t have to have been born there to sign up. The deadline to sign up is January 7. Thanks for sharing your culture!

Mark your Calendars – we will be holding a new FREE event this year! On Thursday, January 12, the PTA will host a Cozy Reading Night from 6:00-7:45 PM at school. Students are invited to wear their PJs, bring a blanket or stuffed animal, enjoy cookies and milk, and listen to read-alouds from our amazing staff! Cozy Reading Night also celebrates the start of our first SJLES Read-a-thon! The Read-a-thon program is a perfect opportunity to encourage a love of reading while also raising money for the school. Our Read-a-thon will take place after winter break from January 9 – 27 and we’ll communicate the details on how easy it is to participate as it gets closer. All Jaguars and their families are invited to attend Cozy Reading Night, whether or not they choose to participate in the Read-a-thon. See you on January 12!

The PTA started a new Education Enrichment Program this year to help us learn about ideas from the staff to enhance students’ educational experience and provide appropriate funding. We are so appreciative of the teachers who submitted 5 impressive applications for consideration! We are excited to announce that our first Education Enrichment Program will be used to purchase a classroom set of ukuleles to enrich the music curriculum (thank you Mrs. Foster for bringing forth this idea!). In addition, we will be asking the general membership to vote on a budget adjustment to fund a second proposal as well, which will be detailed at next week’s PTA meeting.

“Dear SJLES Families, Thank you so incredibly much for your profound generosity during our Toy Drive! I have always been extremely grateful to be part of such a wonderful community, and everyone completely amazed me with the success of our Toy Drive this year. We collected 234 toys! These toys have been delivered to Toys for Tots, where they will be distributed to children in Howard and surrounding counties. Thank you for bringing smiles to so many sweet faces this holiday season! Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday and happy New Year! Warmest Regards, Ashley Callaway (Toy Drive Coordinator)”

Thank you to everyone who has donated to our Toys for Tots program so far! We are off to a strong start! And if you haven’t had a chance to participate yet, it’s not too late. Through Wednesday, November 30, you can place new, unwrapped toys into the donation box near the front of the school, or shop using our Amazon Wishlist. This Toy Drive is a great way to spread joy and care right here in our local community this holiday season. Thank you for your generous support!

Thank you to all who volunteered to make the Turkey Trot a success! We had such a great turnout! Upload your photos here for the Yearbook! The PTA sends our congratulations to our Golden Turkey Award winners! Mr. Conklin’s 3rd grade class collected the most food donations, with 147 items, and earned an extra 30 minutes of recess! An honorable mention goes to Ms. Ruggiero’s 5th grade class, who collected 141 items and earned an extra 15 minutes of recess. Bravo!

if you’re coming to the school for an in-person conference next week, please consider bringing hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, and colorful dry-erase markers for your child’s teachers! At this month’s PTA meeting, the staff shared that these items would be much appreciated. Hand sanitizer is the top need at the moment. Thank you for supporting our incredible SJLES teachers and staff, who work hard every day for our kids!

• Please note: In prior years, teachers often requested boxes of tissues. This year, the PTA has proactively responded to this need by providing two boxes of tissues for every staff member, every month!

Let Chipotle handle dinner next Monday, November 14, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.! Be sure to show this flyer at the restaurant when checking out, mention the fundraiser if you don’t have the flyer image with you, or place your order for pick-up through Chipotle’s app or website using code DJ4Q6KB. Valid only on orders placed between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. at Chipotle Ellicott City, located on the corner of St. Johns Lane and Baltimore National Pike. Chipotle will donate a generous 33% of sales to the SJLES PTA! Thanks for your support! (Please note: Orders placed through other apps or delivery services don’t count!)

We hope to see you at the Mt. Hebron High School track this Sunday, November 13, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.! This FREE event is sponsored by the PTA for all SJLES students and families!  Be sure to bring your charm necklace if you already have one so you can add your new Turkey charm to it! And check out the flyer above to see how you can earn up to four prizes with the new prize format this year! 

Updates

• Calling all volunteers! We won’t be able to have the Turkey Trot without your help: Sign up right here 
• Speed up registration by signing the electronic participation waiver in advance. Paper copies will also be available at the event if you prefer.
• Spirit Wear styles from last year will be available to purchase while supplies last! 
• Mt. Hebron High School students will be on-site at the track to collect any additional donations of nonperishable food for the Howard County Food Bank.Here’s the agenda for this event, so you’ll know what to expect!

Schedule

The PTA’s Annual Toy Drive begins today! Now through November 30, please consider donating a new toy for a child in need. Your donations will support Toys for Tots – Baltimore, MD, who will distribute toys to children all over the greater Baltimore area. You can place new, unwrapped toys in the box near the front of the school, or shop via our Amazon Wishlist. Questions? Reach out to Ashley Callaway at ashley.e.simmons@gmail.com. Thank you so much for your generous support of local families in need this holiday season!