“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!

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!