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!

Update: Please click here to let us know how many people plan to attend and also to sign the participation waiver electronically in advance. You don’t need to RSVP, but it helps us make sure there will be enough food for everyone. And if you’d rather sign the participation waiver upon arrival at the event instead of online, there will be paper copies available to fill out.

10/25-11/7: Kids Helping Kids Food Drive benefiting the Howard County Food Bank. Students are invited to bring in nonperishable food to their homeroom class. The class in each grade with the most items collected will be declared the winners of the Golden Turkey Award at the PTA Turkey Trot. And Mr. Notari announced that the top class in the whole school with the most items collected will earn EXTRA RECESS. Let’s see how much of a difference we can make in our community this fall!

10/25-11/7: Make a Turkey Trot poster and earn an Art Charm! Stop by the Art Room to get your poster board from Mrs. Peddicord. Decorate it however you wish, but be sure to include the words “SJLES Turkey Trot” and a picture of a turkey. Everything else is up to your imagination! Write your name, grade, and teacher’s name on the back and return it to Mrs. Peddicord no later than Monday 11/7. 

11/13: You’re Invited to the 16th Annual Turkey Trot Fun Run/Walk!  Come on down to the track at Mt. Hebron High School on Sunday 11/13 at 10 a.m. Enjoy snacks, drinks, and a visit from SJLES mascot Harry Spotter! Bring the whole family. (Rain date: 11/20)

Our Jaguars have been working hard on their masterpieces and they are looking beautiful! Please check your child’s backpack for their Original Works packets starting this week!

• Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade packets are coming home by October 20th
• 5th grade packets are coming home on October 25th

In each student’s packet, you’ll see your Jaguar’s artwork along with an order form. If you decide to place an order, please remember to fill out the order form clearly and to send the packet back with your student’s artwork, your payment, and order form by November 1st. This deadline ensures that the Original Works treasures get back to SJLES before winter
break.

Pssst! If you want a sneak peek, click here to see the new products that
are available! [1]

In case you missed previous announcements, here is more information about this program: Original Works is an art-based fundraiser that transforms your Jaguar’s artwork into beautiful keepsakes you can share with family and friends. The money raised provides additional funding primarily for the SJLES Art Department to enrich the experiences of all students.

Thank you!
PTA Original Works Committee

Are you interested in attending evening events at the school this year? The
school is looking for feedback through this survey to determine what programs to offer this year. These programs would be offered by the school, and scheduled in addition to what you see on the PTA calendar

Thanks for your input!

The PTA Council of Howard County (PTACHC) provides a critical link between our local PTAs and the Howard County Board of Education. Our SJLES PTACHC representatives are working hard to keep us up-to-date on big-picture issues that can have a profound impact on our children at school–including the BOE’s plans for redistricting, school policy updates, facility development, and more. Parental input on these policies is essential. Please take a moment to review this month’s PTACHC updates paying special attention to…

• A number of important updates revealed in the Legislative Report (see link in document)
• The HoCo by Design project, which affects the way that land in the county is developed and used, and can impact our schools
• The BOE’s plans for building new schools and renovating existing schools–which ultimately affect things like overcrowding and redistricting plans

Now that the school year is in full swing, the SJLES PTA encourages you to take a moment to thank your bus driver! If you’d like to make a thank-you card, but don’t know the name of your child’s bus driver, you can check the list below.

SJLES PTA announces our FREE Trunk-or-Treat coming up on Saturday, October 29! Come in costume if you’d like, and enjoy festively decorated cars and lots of treats! This event is FREE but your RSVP is requested to help us prepare. Flyers will be coming home soon. Here’s how you can get involved…

• Wanted: Your Trunk! Click the link to enter the trunk decorating contest. Space is limited to 25 cars, and registration closes on 10/22. Popular vote will determine the top 3 winners. Each will receive a $25 gift card to Glory Days! Contest rules available here.
• Candy needed! Check out the Amazon wish list to donate a bag of treats! Candy and allergy-safe options are both included. When checking out, be sure to select the registry for Vanessa Zawodny. Your donation will be sent directly to SJLES PTA.
• Please RSVP here! Not required, but it will help us plan for your ghosts and goblins. Suggested RSVP by 10/25.

The PTA is requesting your help to support The Kindness Pantry’s Winter Coat Drive for elementary school children in need in Howard County. New and gently used coats, hats, gloves, mittens, and scarves are all needed! There will be a collection box near the front office now through Tuesday, October 25. Thank you for helping to keep others warm! More details available here.

The results of our poll are in! For the rest of the school year, PTA meetings will be held VIRTUALLY via Zoom at 8:00 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month. Our next meeting will be held Wednesday, October 12. See you there! Please use the link below to join the meeting (and bookmark it for future reference!).

• https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84490138573?pwd=eVBBUm9ZdXpEL3NvQkExQ0JXcVIyZz09
• Meeting ID: 844 9013 8573
• Passcode: 643443

We received several requests to extend the Spirit Wear deadline, and our amazing Spirit Wear Chair was able to make that happen! Wednesday is the last day! Place those orders right now: https://stjohnslanefall23.itemorder.com/